DIRECTOR General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu has said “June 21st is not a feasible date to resume domestic operations stating it will when it is safe, secured and organized citing precaution as a major factor.
This is just as the NCAA has put the compliance level from the industry at 70-75% while stating that some airlines have worked very hard to attain 90-95% compliance higher than others.
Captain Nuhu who represented the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika at today’s Presidential Task Force Briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja explained that civil aviation, despite all the pressures mounting would not start until it was totally ready.
Captain Nuhu explained, “The civil aviation authority, despite pressures coming from all quarters, will not approve the start any day until we are sure and we confirm that we are ready to start in a safe, secure, organized and efficient manner. To do otherwise is disastrous for all of us.
“If we open the industry when we are not ready and we are guilty of spreading coronavirus, God forbid we have any incident, I believe the government will come hard on us and it is going to be counterproductive and disastrous for the industry.
“We are not too far, we are close but there is a need for timing to ensure that we are ready, positively, absolutely ready to start work.â€
The NCAA boss said the Authority has been holding talks with airlines, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, adding that feedbacks have been received and concerns are being addressed.
He stressed that inputs are also being received from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the United Nations agency in charge of civil aviation as well as standard and recommended practices for the sector.
Nuhu noted that recommendations are also being gotten from the World Health Organisation, the International Air Transport Association, the Airport Council International, and the African Civil Aviation Commission.
“We have to adopt all these, it’s not easy; it’s a very complex process. What I can assure is that, the civil aviation authority will only give a go-ahead when we are ready, nothing further.
“We are looking towards the end of this month. Hopefully, by the end of next week, we will submit a report through the Ministry of Aviation to the Presidential Task Force for review. We know the industry is anxious but to do otherwise will be a great disservice and neglect of our statutory mandate from the government of Nigeria,†he added.
Speaking on the compliance on the checklists by airlines earlier at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Webinar titled “Nigeria’s Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies” the Director General represented by the Director, Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mallam Adamu Abdullahi put the compliance level at 70-75%.
Nothing will ever work if we do not work towards achieving it. If we cannot manage domestic flights then international flights will be a forgotten story.
Shit hole country..smh
It’s really painful to see how we Nigerians are suffering from this pandemic, we pray to God for quick intervention.
Nevertheless I see no reason(s) why 21st is not a practicable date for resumption of domestic flights In Nigeria, other offices are fully open not forgetting the fact that the opening of the airspace was initially 8th of June but was shifted to 21st of June and now you’re still not sure if the airspace will open on the rescheduled date??? Have you guys ever thought how the people who walk in the aviation industries are coping?
Hausa don kill this country,in every herme of affairs aboki way no get brain chaii…God help Nigeria.