Aviation: Minister inaugurates committees on revenue collection, accident investigation

By A’isha Biola Raji

The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has inaugurated Committees on Nigeria Aviation Industry Aeronautical Charges and Nigeria Aviation Industry Aircraft Accident Report Status.

Inaugurating the Committees yesterday, the minister said the inauguration was a product of the ministry’s quest to reposition Nigeria as an aviation hub and to ensure that passengers and all users of Nigeria airport facilities are paying charges that are comparable to what is obtainable across the world and across neighbouring countries.

In a statement signed by Iyogun, Asobumeh Sunday, Principal Information Officer for the ministry, the constituted committee will

seek to review all Nigeria aeronautic and passengers charges with a view to determine the factors behind the charges and factors responsible for the disparity between the charges if any exist.

It will also seek to push for practice that can be likened to global standard, especially with those countries with similar regional conditions and also to give an opinion and make necessary

recommendations and analysis made in a view to placing the aviation industry in a competitive advantage and reversing the current trend in the industry.

Chidoka stated among others, the terms of reference of the committee to include determining all Aircraft accident reports from 2000 till date, do a gap analysis with a view to determine the extent of compliance with all approved recommendations, determine alignment with global aviation industry best practice and to make necessary recommendations on analysis made.

In his response, Ahonsi Unuigbe, the chairman and leader of the 9 man Nigeria Aviation Industry Aeronautical Charges Committee constituted from aviation stakeholders pledged total support for the minister’s quest in repositioning the aviation sector. He said they will do all

within them to do a good job.

The chairman and leader of the Nigeria Aviation Industry Aircraft Accident Reports Status, Capt. Victor Iriobe in like manner pledged total support for the minister and his quest. The Committee of seven members is made up of stakeholders from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the ministry.