Nigerian Government has said all the road maps outlined for the aviation sector would be completed by April 2023 and an estimated 72,300 jobs would be created.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who disclosed this at the 3rd edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration scorecard series (2015-2023), said of the jobs to be created 9,100 are direct while 63,200 are indirect jobs.
“By April 2023, all the road maps outlined for the sector by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, would have been completed.
The attainment level is currently at 90%. Upon the full implementation of the roadmap, it is estimated that 72,300 jobs (Direct 9,100 and Indirect 63,200) will be created” stated the Minister.
Senator Sirika further stated that capacity building has been ramped up, with the President Buhari’s administration increasing the budget for training from $500,000 when the administration came into the office to $8 million.
A highlight compiled by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture also quoted the Minister, to have said a Boeing 737 simulator has been bought at a cost of $21 million to further build the capacity of pilots, adding that an automated fire simulator was also acquired.
“The greatest legacy of the Buhari Administration in the Aviation Sector is the strengthening of the institutions running civil aviation in Nigeria to run on the standard of ICAO and in line with global best practices.
“Ethiopian Airlines emerged as the preferred bidder for Nigeria Air because it’s the most qualified in the transparent bidding process.
Partnering with an African airline is in line with African Union’s Agenda 2063, especially the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), aimed at creating a single unified air transport market in Africa, liberalizing civil aviation, and driving the continent’s economic integration agenda.
“The Nigerian Aviation Sector is the second most recovered in the industry, following the development, from the scratch, of the protocols for the safe, secure, orderly restart of the aviation industry after COVID-19.
“The focus of the Ministry of Aviation under President Buhari is how safe, secure, and efficient a passenger can depart from point ‘A’ and land in point ‘B’.
“Nigeria has achieved a total radio coverage of its entire airspace. Nigeria has now developed the capacity to decode and decipher the ‘Black Box’ of aircraft in the event of any air crash.
“The Port Harcourt Airport, which a section of the international media once called the worst in the world, is now the best under President Buhari.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the nation’s airports are being certified. Capacity building has been ramped up, with the Buhari Administration increasing the budget for training from $500,000 when the Administration came into the office to $8 million.
“A Boeing 737 simulator has been bought at a cost of $21 million to further build the capacity of pilots. Also acquired is an automated fire simulator.
“Five international airports (Abuja, Kano, Enugu, Lagos and Port Harcourt) have been designated as Special Economic Zones.
“Because of the progress made in the sector, Nigeria has been re-elected as a Part II member of the ICAO Council.
“The Accident Investigation Bureau has been upgraded to a Multi-modal Accident Investigation Agency, tagged the National Transport Accident Investigation Board.
“An Aviation Leasing Company, which would be private sector-driven, will be established to address the challenges of limited access to capital and high cost of funds. The ALC will provide leasing opportunities for Nigerian and African airlines in order to boost fleet size, and alleviate the problem of aircraft leasing and high insurance premium charges.
“The development of Nigeria’s major commercial airports and surrounding communities into efficient, profitable, and self-sustaining commercial hubs through increased private sector participation and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will create jobs and grow the local industry.
“The upgrade of facilities at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology led to its designation by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a Regional Training Centre of Excellence” reads the statement in parts.
