PMB has achieved 90 percent of the aviation development roadmap

Oru Leonard 

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved 90 percent of the aviation development roadmap, which will contribute $14.2 billion to economy.

Sirika stated this while speaking during the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Forum held at Abuja on Thursday.

He said, the roadmap when completed would increase contribution of the aviation industry to the economy from the current 0.6 per cent to five per cent.

The Minister recalled that the 12-point framework for the sector which was launched in 2016 included establishment of a national carrier, development of agro-allied /cargo terminals, establishment of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) centre, Aviation Leasing Company (ALC), Aerotropolis (airport cities), Aviation & Aerospace University and concession of the five international airports (Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt), Upgrade of NCAT into an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence, Designation of Four International Airports as Special Economic Zones, Introduction of Policies on Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Adherence to Employment Policies on Enforcement of Expatriate Quota, Upgrade of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to a Multi-modal Accident Investigation Agency – Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

Sirika who gave a scorecard of his stewardship in the Ministry, during the Aviation Stake holders Forum at Abuja on Thursday. also disclosed that the Air Nigeria project is 98 per cent completed and will fly before May 29, when President Muhammadu Buhari will hand over to another administration.

According to him, “We will also finish the concessioning. So, all those things we said we would do when we came in, we did them. Before the end of this administration, before May 29th, we will fly.”

The Minister said negotiation meeting with Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium was ongoing, adding that Nigeria stands to benefit from the establishment of the national carrier as it will reduce capital flight, optimal benefit of BASA and SAATM and development of an aviation hub.

He said he had thought Emirate, Lufthansa, Qatar airlines would emerge as the preferred bidder for the Nigeria Air project, saying he was glad Ethiopian Airlines Group consortium eventually emerged.

“When we were setting up Nigeria Air limited, my gut feeling is to partner with airlines that I think will add value, with financial experience and high profile, such as Emirate, Qatar, Lufthansa, and the rest of them.

“Those who worked closely with me know that this is my forecast and what I wanted, because I believe if you partner with Lufthansa for example, automatically you will have a licence to fly.

“I thought we would do that and I made attempts to reach them and invite them as I did with all airline owners in Nigeria, except Overland.

“I reached out to them personally to come and partner to create a strong airline, but fast forward, we had a bidder, Ethiopian Airline.

“I was very happy that we got them (Ethiopian) to come. It was not my choice but I am happy now knowing what I know.

“They are a household name, strong and they have been in business for 70 years unbroken and they have over 200 aircraft.

“So, I am very glad we are partnering with them and it is a reality.

“Some airlines are in court and their grouse is that it can be any airline in the world but not Ethiopian because, in their own way, they think Ethiopian is a competitor.”

On the potential of the roadmap, Sirika said it can create thousands of jobs.

He said: “Upon completion of the roadmap, it is estimated that 72,300 jobs (9,100 direct jobs and 63,200 jobs within three years and with 20 aircraft) will be created.

“A recent aviation sector study for Nigeria by International Air Transportation Association (IATA) in June 2020, showcases the significant contribution of air transportation to the National economy, through providing 241,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and a contribution of $1.7 billion to the national economy.

“However, with the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the aviation sector’s contribution from the current 0.6per cent to five per cent approximately $14.166 billion.” The Minister explained.