Reps pledges total support on rehabilitation, upgrading of Aviation Sector

…speaker urges participant to contribute constructively

By Doris Ferdinand

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday said that the leadership of the House is committed to total Reformation of the aviation sector.

The Speaker said this during a public Hearing on six (6) aviation executive bills in the National Assembly complex.

He stressed the need to ensure extensive development of the aviation sector to confirm with the current International Civil Aviation Organization standards and recommended practices.

“It is not out of question that the establishment laws for the service-provider Aviation agencies like Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the regulatory body: Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), are far from meeting up with the international best practices hence the need to amend and bring them in conformity with the international best standards.

The bills are as follows:
“a) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment Etc.) Act, 2003 and to enact the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Act to Provide for the Regulation of Meteorology and Related Matters (HB.464)

b) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, CAP. N96 LFN, 2010 and to enact the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Bill to
Provide for its Organisation, Control and Operation and for Related Matters (HB.463)

c) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act, CAP N90 LFN, 2010 and to enact the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act for the purposes of Providing Effective Air Navigation Services in Nigeria, Ensuring Safety and Regularity of Air Navigation Services and for Related Matters (HB.462)

d) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and to enact the Civil Aviation Act, for the Regulation of Civil Aviation in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.460)

e) A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau for the Regulation, Prevention and Providing Effective Administration for Safety Investigation in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.465)

f) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act, CAP F5, LFN, 2010 and to enact the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act to Provide for the Effective Management of Airports in Nigeria and Related Matters (HB.461).

“It is imperative to note that the development of our aviation industry is an added advantage to the growth of our economy. It is in this vein that the House of Representatives will continue to support total rehabilitation and upgrading of our airports and allied services.” Femi said.

Hon. Femi however charged the participants to take advantage of the public hearing and contribute significantly to the discussion of the Bills. He further assured the participants of the Parliament’s thorough appraisal of their various propositions/recommendations.