Yemisi Izuora
Minister of state for aviation senator, Hadi Sirika has asked operators in the aviation sector to exert energy in the provision of safety and efficient services as such will help to build economic ties among countries and bring about development.
Sirika therefore urged stakeholders to explore the benefits of the Yamoussoukro decision for greater air transport connectivity across the Africa continent.
The minister who gave the charge in Accra, Ghana at the 10th African Air Transport Safety and Security Summit noted that safe, secure and efficient customer focused air transport system are factors that could sustain the aviation sector.
Sirika said, connectivity will play a critical role in the development of African economics which can be achieved by implementing the ideas of Abuja declaration that set a target for African airlines to reach world class safety levels by 2015.
According to him, Connectivity is vital for African growth and development, supporting about 6.9 million jobs and $80.5 billion in economic activity and hoped that it will closely knit relationship with seamless connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.
Sirika, who was represented by the director of safety in the ministry, Captain Taba Alkali, traced the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria to over several decades which has led to the exchange of knowledge and friendship through many bilateral partnerships in the area of personnel training, expertise and information sharing.
He charged airlines to live up to their responsibility of ensuring travellers confidence in the sector through the service provided to the public.
The Minister, while saying that socio-political and cultural ties have been made possible and galvanized by a robust Bilateral Air services Agreement, explained that no less than three Nigerian airlines with the fourth commencing operations shortly, business connections, leisure travellers and students between bother countries will be strengthened.
He commended the Ghanaian ministry of transport and the professionalism of the highest standard exhibited by the Ghana Civil Avaition Authority in allowing the implementation of the Yamoussoukro decision between Nigerian and Ghana.
He noted that significant progress has been made in the Abuja declaration with airlines meeting deadline but stressed the need for synergy between government regulators and operators to ensure that goals were achieved.
Describing air transport as the most efficient and effective means of transportation for people and high value low volume goods for the West African continent stressed the need for improved infrastructure, upgrade facilities and trained personnel to the highest level of proficiency and professionalism.