By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja – The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, has assured Dr Bernard Aliyu, the President of the Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), of success in his bid for re-election.
The minister gave the assurance in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The statement said the minister gave the assurance when he visited Aliyu in Montreal, Canada, where he attended the 38th ICAO Assembly.
The minister assured him that Nigeria was mobilising the support of other member nations for him due to his sterling achievement during his first tenure.
Briefing the ICAO President on developments in the aviation sector in Nigeria, Sirika said that his areas of focus included ensuring air safety, security and comfort of passengers in the country.
According to him, it is in line with the recent resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on Civil Aviation Security.
Sirika also intimated him of government’s decision to concession some airports, explaining that government could no longer afford the resources to develop and maintain them to meet ICAO standards.
On the issue of aviation fuel (Jet A1), he said that efforts were currently on to ensure local refining of the product.
Responding, the ICAO president expressed delight at visit of the minister and the Nigerian delegation and assured them of fulfilling time in Canada.
While expressing his gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for granting him audience during his visit to Nigeria, Aliyu further thanked the minister for his efforts to ensure his re-election.