As the federal government continues its plan to establish a new national carrier to replace the liquidated Nigeria Airways, there appears to be discordant voices moving against it, especially as participants the ongoing national conference insist Nigeria only needs strong, competitive flag carriers and not necessarily a national carrier, to break even in global aviation.
According to the Musa Abebe, a non-schedule operator chieftain in the industry led committee, “We need strong flag carriers to be built from the present carriers through a regulated consolidation process. We cannot wait for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) anymore, since they lack the balls. The conferees and the National Assembly should urgently initiate the process.”
The Committee tried in vain to convince other conferees on the need to have another national carrier to replace the dead and improperly buried Nigeria Airways. The option was rejected and they agree in totality with the conferees.
The process for the formation another of national carrier had in earnest, started early last year but was abruptly stopped after Stella Oduah, the former aviation minister, claimed they “encountered some hitches along the way” and was “trying to properly establish a carrier that Nigerians would be proud of” before she was removed.
In another development, in consonance with the proposed National Assembly bill, the conferees are asking for an increase in Nigerian participation in operation and services.
The committee said this call would be unnecessary if NCAA had lived up to its responsibility by implementing the Civil Aviation Act to the letter.
Olu Ohunayo, a travel analyst, noted that “If the NCAA cannot monitor and implement now, how will a bill or the Confab decision change that mentality?” he asked, adding however that the Nigerian Content should not be limited to personnel alone, but other operational services with the enshrined principle of reciprocity and investment.”
On the proposed revision of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), the Committee also recommended the review of the 2013 Civil Aviation Policy, which stakeholders say it is a good decision based on the premise that stakeholders will be called from all facets of the industry to make an input.
Abebe agrees with Ohunayo’s view, stating: “I also concur, but I must also say that there are some good policies in that document that must be appreciated and sustained. I really look forward to the independent and effective economic regulatory body which will stem the drift toward predatory tendencies.”
On the linkage of all international airports to rail lines, the committee stated that it is good and futuristic considering the huge funds needed to actualise this dream.
They recommended that in the interim, surface connectivity between the domestic and international terminals should be activated, while other connections within cities should be developed to ease movement and encourage tourist and transit passengers.
culled from : businessdayonline.com
