ANAP Calls on Tinubu to Constitute Boards for NCAA, NAMA, NCAT, and NSIB
Following the recent appointment of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board of Directors by President Bola Tinubu, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) is urging the government to take further action by constituting boards for other critical aviation agencies. These include the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Comrade AbdulRasaq Saidu, General Secretary of ANAP, has highlighted the urgency of this matter, emphasizing that these boards are essential for ensuring proper oversight and effective management of the agencies’ operations. In an interview, he stressed the need for functioning boards to address key areas such as contract awards, recruitment processes, and the welfare of aviation workers.
“The constitution of these boards is long overdue,” Comrade Saidu stated. “Their presence will provide the much-needed checks and balances within the system, curbing irregularities and ensuring accountability.”
Addressing Past Challenges
ANAP took the opportunity to criticize the previous administration, led by former Minister Hadi Sirika, for failing to inaugurate boards that had already been established by former President Muhammadu Buhari during his eight-year tenure. According to Comrade Saidu, this failure resulted in widespread “illegalities” within the aviation sector, including questionable employment practices, unmerited appointments, and a deterioration in workers’ conditions of service.
He noted that the absence of these boards left a governance gap, allowing irregularities to flourish unchecked. “The aviation sector suffered from lapses in administration, and the workers bore the brunt of poor oversight,” he added. ANAP believes that rectifying these issues requires immediate action from the current administration.
Support for Tinubu’s Recent Appointments
While criticizing past inaction, Comrade Saidu commended President Tinubu for his prompt appointment of Alhaji Ganduje as Chairman of the FAAN Board. He described this decision as a positive step that demonstrates the President’s understanding of the critical role these boards play in ensuring the smooth functioning of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“President Tinubu’s swift decision to appoint the FAAN board chairman sends a strong signal about his commitment to fixing the aviation sector. However, we urge him to extend this commitment to the NCAA, NAMA, NCAT, and NSIB boards as well,” Saidu said.
Why These Boards Are Essential
ANAP emphasized the crucial role these boards play in enhancing the aviation sector’s efficiency and effectiveness. Specifically, their functions include:
- Providing oversight for agency operations
- Ensuring transparency in contract awards and procurement processes
- Streamlining recruitment practices to prevent favoritism and irregularities
- Addressing workers’ welfare and improving conditions of service
The union expressed confidence that the timely constitution of these boards would help streamline daily operations, improve decision-making processes, and enhance the overall performance of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
A Call for Urgent Action
ANAP’s call aligns with broader concerns within the aviation sector about the need for robust governance structures. By establishing these boards, the government can ensure greater accountability and efficiency, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders, including workers, passengers, and the Nigerian economy at large.
As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to grow, the timely appointment of boards for NCAA, NAMA, NCAT, and NSIB will be a critical step in addressing existing challenges and positioning the industry for sustained success. ANAP’s appeal underscores the importance of prioritizing these appointments to foster a more transparent, efficient, and worker-friendly aviation environment.
