By Yemisi Izuora-Lagos
Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka has given a clear indication of faiulure of reforms in the aviation sector.
He told journalists in Lagos tuesday that the Federal Government is now coming up with a 10 – year Aviation Master Plan that would set a template on the allocation of airport concessions , aeronautical agreements and the use of land around the nation’s 24 airports .
According to him the master plan became imperative because years back government had many mistakes that gave rise to controversial airport concessions and uncoordinated use of airport land that contravened rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO).
He said the new initiative shows government commitment to the setting up a private sector driven national carrier that could offer lower fares .
The minister said he has extracted commitment from the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) to include domestic carriers in the Retail Dutch Auction System, because allowing operators to use the interbank exchange is costly .
Chidoka told journalists after meeting aviation workers that the road map put in place by his predecessor , Princess Stella Oduah did not capture holistic development of the aviation sector in terms of the template of infrastructure , the criteria for concessions and how to maximise the aviation sector for national development .
He said in the past months, government conducted studies on the challenges of the aviation sector which indicated that Nigerian airports are under-performing in the face of delayed flights by domestic carriers , and poor turn around time .
Worried over the damning report that Nigerian airports are far below the global standards , Chidoka said government has concluded plans to certify two airports next year .
He listed the two airports to be certified to include Lagos and Abuja Airports , even as plans are underway to enlist the Kano and Enugu airports in the second phase of certification .
He said in the next six months air field lighting system at 12 airports would be completed .
Provision of air field lighting system at the 12 airports , he said has become imperative to allow for night flights , even as government has completed plans to calibrate air navigation facilities at airports nationwide .
The minister said government is implementing the report of the committee on airport charges to align them with regional pricing .
He spoke of plans by government to reduce financial waste affirming that there would be need to strengthen institutions to enhance local capacity .
The minister said there would be a review of airport concessions and recruitment of personnel to pave way for more technical and professional aviators as opposed to administrative personnel .
He said there is need to build capacity for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) through the training of younger airworthiness inspectors .
Chidoka said a web portal would be set up to provide real time information for airlines and passengers .
The web portal he said would offer monthly report on service levels for airlines.
He said operators could now make request for aircraft importation , which would receive approval within 24 hours.
Airlines , he said are supposed to make requests for landing permits to be approved within 24 hours.
He said government is upgrading the security system at airports nationwide, to ensure that vehicles that will do harm are not allowed into the airport .
The minister said government has extended the deadline given for payment of royalties and commercial agreements till March 2015.
On the closure of cargo terminal at the Lagos Airport, the minister said government will not be intimated by the blackmail and antics of clearing agents that violate rules and regulations .
He said government will roll out stringent measures on how cargo agents carry out operations around the airport .