The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), through its Consumer Protection Directorate (CPD), has announced a comprehensive two-day Consumer Awareness Programme for air travellers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This initiative, specially tailored for the South-South region, seeks to educate passengers on their rights and obligations while fostering a stronger connection between service providers and the travelling public. Scheduled for December 4-5, 2024, the event underscores the NCAA’s dedication to improving passenger experiences and operational excellence.
The programme begins with a roadshow themed “Effective and Efficient Travel Experience Management for Increased Participation and Enhanced Regulation.” This event, organized by Janvier Technologies Ltd, will take place at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, starting at 10:00 a.m. The roadshow aims to engage travellers directly, emphasizing critical information on navigating challenges like flight delays and service interruptions. Following the roadshow, a Town Hall meeting will provide a platform for passengers to voice their concerns and share experiences about air travel in Nigeria.
At the heart of the Town Hall lies the theme, “Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for Operational Efficiency, Service Excellence, and Economic Viability.” GPC Limited will oversee this interactive session, ensuring robust participation from stakeholders. The Town Hall will be held at LA Kings Event Centre, providing an inclusive space for discussions on service quality and consumer rights.
To crown the programme, a high-level conference will take place on December 5, 2024, at Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort. Themed “Enhancing Global Prominence and International Competitiveness of the Nigerian Aviation Sector,” this conference will feature expert presentations designed to shed light on NCAA’s consumer protection initiatives. Passengers, operators, and stakeholders will gain insights into the innovative strategies the current leadership has introduced to boost operational transparency and efficiency.
Speaking about the rationale behind these activities, Captain Chris Najomo, the Acting Director General of NCAA, emphasized the authority’s renewed commitment to fostering a robust aviation sector that supports Nigeria’s economic growth. “Many passengers remain unaware of their rights and obligations,” he noted, “and this knowledge gap has sometimes fueled unnecessary tensions between service providers and travellers.” This programme is designed to close that gap while creating a more informed and satisfied air travel community.
In addition to the planned events, there will be random customer interviews at the airport to gather direct feedback from travellers. These engagements aim to identify common challenges passengers face and work towards sustainable solutions. The initiative also seeks to entrench a culture of service excellence within the Nigerian civil aviation value chain, ensuring airlines and regulatory bodies operate cohesively.
Experts participating in the conference will delve into sections of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) that outline passenger rights. By addressing these critical areas, NCAA hopes to create a more balanced relationship between travellers and aviation operators, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing overall service delivery.
As the year draws to a close, the NCAA’s Consumer Awareness Programme represents a proactive step in aligning Nigeria’s aviation sector with international best practices. Through education, dialogue, and collaboration, the regulatory authority aims to foster an aviation environment characterized by trust, efficiency, and growth.
