NCAA Summit: Stakeholders agree on need for commitment and intellectual exchange
The South-West Regional Air Transportation Summit (SWRATS) 2024, organized by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has concluded with a call for the repositioning of the Nigerian aviation industry for financial capability and economic viability.
The one-day summit, held at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together key stakeholders in the industry to discuss the theme “Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for the Financial Capability and Economic Viability: An Inclusive Regulatory Dialogue.”The summit, c haired by Dr. Olusegun Demuren, former Director-General of NCAA, featured presentations by Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, Dr. Emeka Okengwu, and Mr. Olusheyi Ogunleye.
The event was attended by a cross-section of dignitaries, including Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, and Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The summit aimed to set a roadmap for achieving a more efficient civil aviation and air transportation system in Nigeria through an inclusive dialogue by critical stakeholders and major actors in the industry.
The discussions centered on the theme, with participants agreeing that there is a need for all stakeholders to play their part in the re-birthing and rebranding of the Nigerian aviation industry through commitment and exchange of intellectual ideas. The summit also highlighted the need to address the challenges in the Nigerian aviation industry, including high interest rates payable by aviation operators on loans, especially airlines.
Participants called for the establishment of a Special Aviation Development Fund dedicated to infrastructure development, safety enhancements, and human capacity building for the development of the sector.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in airport infrastructure, air navigation services, and aircraft maintenance. Participants urged the NCAA to apply the rules and ensure compliance to standards, regardless of who is involved. The summit concluded with a call for the adoption and execution of inclusive regulatory dialogue in the Nigerian civil aviation space, stakeholder engagement, transparency, accountability, collaborative decision-making, and regular feedback mechanisms.
The NCAA was also urged to play a key role in harnessing the vast opportunities presented by the global aviation transportation system to drive national economic growth and development. The summit’s recommendations and discussions are expected to shape the future of the Nigerian aviation industry, with a focus on financial capability and economic viability.
