Hadi Seriki, a former minister of aviation, was involved in a number of scandals towards the latter part of his term. One significant problem was the contentious debut of Nigeria Air, the country’s flag airline, on his final day in office. Industry insiders think that when the former minister retired, he left the aviation industry with a number of issues that Festus Keyamo, his successor, must now face and resolve.
Industry insiders say the incoming aviation minister should pick up where his predecessor left off by abandoning the proposed national airline and concentrating on enhancing airport infrastructure and overhauling the industry as a whole.
And on Thursday, Keyamo announced the suspension of the Nigeria Air project and airport concession in quick response to stakeholders’ requests. During a visit to the Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the minister made this disclosure.
In the latter months of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s term, the Lagos airport was granted to a concessionaire, the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, which consists of Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria.
When the new minister took over on Monday, August 21, he declared that there would be no need to reinvent the wheel and that he would continue to build on the aviation sector road map.
The minister said that while he appreciated the form of the road plan, he intended to carefully examine any areas where it might not have been executed as effectively. “I’ve read the road map, which was created in 2016. I read it in its entirety. Our goal is not to change what has been done so successfully. If there are any areas that might want improvement, we will examine them carefully.
My guiding principle is transparency. Every step of the way, the Nigerian people must comprehend what we are doing and guide everyone along in order to avoid some of the issues we have previously had. We are here to help the people of Nigeria. The Nigerian people have always been at the centre of all I do, he said.
Keyamo stated that he will go from complicated topics to grievances that are common to all Nigerians.
“They may not be aware of the work we are doing in the background to ensure safety, but in general, people are appreciative of the things they notice every day, such as how clean the atmosphere is and how early their flights are, among other things.
“We must always prioritise the needs of the populace. Starting tomorrow, I want to start receiving briefings from the directors and then from the agencies. The briefing schedule need to be created by the permanent secretary, he said.
Bankole Bernard, the former president of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, emphasises the necessity for the next minister to reform the aviation industry, support capacity development, and uphold consistent interaction with stakeholders.
“We are equally pleased to hear that he stated he will pick off where his processor left off, but with great openness throughout the business.
“We want to call his attention to the fact that there are three sectors in the aviation business. The aviation industry is divided into three different segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream. We would counsel him to pay attention to each area since they are all interconnected and will be necessary for the industry’s necessary growth, he said.
Bernard advised the incoming minister to concentrate on improving the aviation training organisations in the nation, stressing the need of capacity development. He claims that they are essential for developing the knowledge and skills needed in the sector.
Bernard, who also serves as the chairman of the International Air Transport Association’s Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee and the chief executive officer of Finchglow Holdings, promoted regular stakeholder meetings and stressed the value of participation for any administration.
“Finally, involvement is crucial to the success of every government. By holding a regular stakeholders’ meeting, we would want to motivate him to go on where the last minister left off. Meetings with stakeholders bring everyone in the sector together, provide updates on what is occurring, and do away with random assumptions. So, if he can do all of this, I believe it would significantly reorient the industry, he said.
Susan Akporiaye, president of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, applauds the new minister’s appointment. She had faith that Keyamo would bring justice, equity, and honesty to the aviation sector.
The community of travel agents, according to Akporiaye, was ecstatic to have a minister with admirable character and firm convictions. We are happy to have a new minister, and we have great hope in him since we know he stands for justice, equity, and truth. We are optimistic that he would help improve the sector, she exulted.
According to Capt John Ojikutu (retired), CEO of Centurion Security Limited, the new aviation minister should concentrate on the smooth implementation of airport concessions rather than the contentious national carrier.
He also exhorted Keyamo to concentrate on flag carrier policy, highlighting the value of working with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Justice to examine bilateral aviation services agreements.
“Keyamo should just stay in his office,but see to it that the airport concession proceeds as scheduled. Forget about the plan for the so-called national carrier, but make regulations for flag carriers instead,” he said. He ought to defer to the NCAA for further procedures and operational rules. Together with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Justice, the revision of the BASAs should be of significance to him.
Additionally, the industry saw terrible events when the former minister was in office, according to Olumide Ohunayo, assistant secretary general of the Aviation Round Table.
He hoped the incoming minister will offer a new viewpoint and solid legal knowledge to resolve problematic agreements harming investments and the public interest.
I wish that the industry will not experience affliction again, he said.
According to Gbenga Olowo, a former president of the Aviation Round Table, “The aviation ministry has done more harm to the industry in all my years in the sector.” I subscribe to the belief that it ought to be within the Ministry of Transportation’s purview, just as it does in the US. With the existing tight budget, it will considerably cut down on political meddling and manipulation of the CAA.
Olayinka Abioye, the head of the aviation labour movement, encouraged Keyamo to remove his toga of indifference and replace it with that of “the well-cultured, civilised gentleman that he is.” He emphasised how important it was for the minister to thoroughly research the sector. “He will have all of our backing, without exception. That he is personable and attentive to concerns about the safety and security of the Nigerian Airspace makes my heart happy, he said.
According to Mr. Adeola Fadairo, an aviation specialist, the sector anticipates that the incoming Minister of Aviation would recalibrate the industry’s infrastructure and opaque business practises.
