Aviation can boost Nigeria's GDP with favourable policies -- Experts

Aviation experts said on Tuesday that the industry was capable of boosting Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), if the government could formulate favourable policies.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the experts who reviewed the performance of the sector ahead of the country's 55th Independence anniversary on Oct. 1, said that the aviation industry had not made much progress.
They attributed the situation to undue interference in the activities of the regulatory agency and lopsided air services agreements.
Capt. Nogie Meggison, President, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), said the industry was still at infancy stage and does not have a clear direction of its vision.
"Since after Independence, we have not made much progress. We are hoping that this administration would look at aviation and wake up the sleeping giant.
"The aviation industry can contribute to our GDP and create employment but the government has just put it in a comatose position, where it is not adding value to the country."
According to him, the bulk of the money generated in the industry is taken out of the country by foreign airline operators.
He expressed optimism that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would bring about the desired change in the industry by appointing an aviator to head the aviation ministry.
Similarly, retired Capt. Dele Ore, a former President of the Aviation Round Table (ART), said Nigeria should review its Bilateral Air Services Agreements.
"Everything is now in the hands of the government to make the industry favourable for our domestic airlines so that they can compete.
"The policies on ground are hampering their operations, especially the issue of multiple entry points. The domestic carriers have a low revenue base because of that.
"I believe that they should be in a position to be part of some global alliances which is missing now."
Ore also called for full autonomy for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to enable the regulatory agency to perform its statutory duties more efficiently.
culled: nannewsnigeria.com