Pix Source; thecitizenng.com
The former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has stated that the greatest challenge facing the regulatory body is political interference to safety regulation.
He said this while speaking at the Quarter One Breakfast Meeting organised by the Aviation Round Table Safety Initiative (ARTSI)at GulfView Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
The former NCAA boss stated that there would always be interference but that whoever is at the helms of affairs should not bow political interference, adding that NCAA should be bold enough to tell politicians the truth when they come calling.
He said that there would always be good and bad politicians, adding that it was left for NCAA to speak to them in a professional manner by making them know the implication of their interference as it concerns safety.
Demuren added that when a minister for example interferes with the issuance of Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to a particular airline that is not qualified, the persons in charge at NCAA should be able to resist the pressure.
The former DG stated that he had had to tell some people not to bow to pressure, advising that in carrying out their professional duties, they must be honest, truthful and transparent but that political interference will always be there.
On economic regulations, he said that Nigeria has very good document, adding that as director general to enforce the regulations you must be tough and must also step on toes because in enforcing the regulation it would affect your friends
On the much talked about national carrier for the country, Demuren stated that the idea is a good one but warned that Nigeria cannot manage a national carrier without good corporate governance. .
He lamented that Nigeria has bad corporate governance in the aviation industry and that there are too much interference in the system.
According to him, “It is not that it is impossible. If you don’t have good corporate governance don’t do it”.
He also added that to have a national carrier, the country must have very good technical partner, maintenance facility to maintain the aircraft in its fleet and there must be on ground the best technology to ensure that people don’t sell tickets and pocket the money .
