
Minister of State,Aviation,Senator, Hadi Sirika
The Aviation Minister, State, Senator, Hadi Sirika has said that Civil Aviation Policy would be reviewed to accommodate the policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
The review according to him would include a Master Plan to reform institutions, airports; (domestic and international hubs) and national airlines, to provide domestic and international services.
Sirika stated this at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 2015 World Aviation Forum in Montreal, Canada.
According to the Minister, “Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, will continue to upgrade and develop aviation infrastructure to improve aviation safety and security, thus creating an enabling environment for growth of airlines and other service providers, as well as protecting the interest of aviation end-users.”
On his part, the ICAO President, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, said it was a key goal for the organisation to assist member states to the fullest extent, possible with respect to the implementation of ICAO standards and policies.
“Only in this way can we ensure that ‘No country is left behind’ and optimize the socio-economic benefits which derive from safe, secure, and reliable air transport in Africa, fully in line with local needs and expectations.” He said.
The Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau welcomed delegates and solicited greater collaboration and understanding among nations and peoples of the world.
Several speakers including the Colombian Minster of Transport, the Secretary General of World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Director General of the European Commission as well as China and the US emphasised the connection between the effective implementation of global aviation standards and policies and the social and economic benefits.
Nigeria’s delegation, which was led by the Minister of State, Aviation included the Canadian Acting Ambassador, Ja’afar Mohammed Balarabe, Directors from the Ministry of Aviation and chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of aviation agencies, who provided technical support.
The event drew participants from 99 countries on its first day.