By Yemisi Izuora
The federal government has restated commitment to promote strong aviation safety culture and to implement a robust security programmes at all the airports.
Vice President, Namadi Sambo who made the promise also said government would do all that is necessary to enhance passenger comfort and convenience as well as promoting private sector investment in the sector.
Speaking at an event in Lagos, the vice president, who was represented by the minister of national planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, said the federal government had achieved a lot in the past four years.
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Sambo listed some of the administration’s to include upgrade of safety infrastructure, modernisation of airport infrastructure, increase in the number of domestic airlines operating in the country, the retention of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category One air safety rating in September 2014.
Sambo who described the Aviation Commits as a “bold step to promote service improvement in the sector” commended the ministry of aviation, its agencies and stakeholders for the courage to publicly commit to specific and measurable higher service standards in the sector in line with government’s ongoing policy on performance management.
He appealed to aviation stakeholders and the public to continue to cooperate with the ministry of aviation in its efforts to transform the sector and make it conform to international best practices saying “it is important that appropriate monitoring mechanism be put in place for the periodic evaluation of the commitments to ensure sustainability.”
He assured that government would provide all the necessary support for the realisation of the objectives of the initiative.
Aviation, he said “is one of the most technologically advanced and knowledge-driven sectors which provide the platform for speedy economic interactions through massive movement of goods, persons and services.”
“There is no doubt that the aviation sector remains pivotal to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. In recognition of its importance, the transformation programme of this administration over the past four years has implemented Aviation road map and master plan aimed at promoting safety, security and comfort of air travelers while also creating an enabling environment for the active participation of the private sector,” he added.
He also said the progress attained in the implementation of the master plan had laid a good foundation for the transformation of the sector.