Nigeria’s Aviation: The Stella Oduah Rat chase

Aviation Nigeria

By Stephen Anayo

Nigeria's parliamentarians and aviation stakeholders are currently enmeshed in a running battle as they seek to probe the recent purported acquisition of two bulletproof cars by the nation's Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

The rat chase is such that it is easy to forget that less than a year ago, there was high praise from a number of quarters for this high-achieving individual, in the light of her inputs into the ailing aviation sector.

She embarked on a foreign road trip earlier this year, in her bid to get foreign investment to build the first aerotropolis in all of Nigeria, using the four most commercially viable airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourta model that locates business enterprises at the airports.

Oduah has equipped 22 Nigerian airports with lightning and thunderstorm detection equipment covering a range of 200 km and has made plans to build a cargo airport to help the increasing number of agricultural exports and with the redistribution of cargo.

That garnered praise from the eccentric governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He said "Stella has spoken about a cargo airport for perishables and for agriculture. Now, for me, as an economist and as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, that is the most important and visionary step that the Aviation Minister has taken."

He also applauded her efforts to make the flying experience as comfortable as possible, stressing that: "Airports are not just to carry human beings from Lagos to Kano; it is not just there to make travel easy and comfortable experience for individuals." 

Quite a lot of cynic Nigerians probably do not know that under the minister's watch, a Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) was set up and ground controllers in the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), which relays the low-level wind shear specific alerts to pilots via voice radio communication.

Just two years after her appointment, she set up the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) "Wreckage Hangar’’ in Abuja to ensure the speedy investigations of air crashes and incidents in Nigeria.

After years of neglect and near-deterioration, the international terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was commissioned and this same minister has secured approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the construction of five brand new International terminals /Cargo terminals from a concessionary loan from Chinese EXIM bank.

As you read this, plans are at an advanced stage to float a new national carrier that will be completely private-sector driven and professionally managed too. For the existing airlines, the minister has decided to play Good Samaritan too as she is working on the acquisition of about 30 new aircraft for domestic airlines through an intervention fund to re-fleet the airlines and boost their capacity.

In times of unnecessary fare disparity against Nigerian passengers by British Airways authorities with better treatment being meted out to other nationals, no one but Stella Oduah stood up to challenge the airline's authorities. Even the current imbroglio that Turkish Airways is involved in, as regards the Abuja-Kano route is because the minister is refusing to bow to another airline giving Nigerians sub-par treatment unlike what obtains in other countries. But will the press ever bother to report about this? 

Stella Oduah handled the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA that involved the Arik Airline and the British Airways authorities and  brought to the fore, her diplomatic ingenuity and negotiating skills. 

For Arik's sake and for the benefit of Nigerians visiting London often, she got back the airline's landing slots into Heathrow Airport and worked magic by getting the airport management to increase the slots to seven, from four per week.

It is instructive to note too that she stopped Bi-Courtey from increasing the Passenger Service Charge to protect the traveling public from undue exploitation and ensure that everyone, rather than just the elite can fly at affordable rates. Consequently, air travel costs remain reasonable and there has not been any appreciable increase since she took over at the ministry.

As-a-matter-of-factually speaking, she has demonstrated ability, doggedness, competence and a lot of resilience to ensure that the Aviation Industry lines up with internationally accepted standards.  Instead of battling with her array of critics as some other government officials are wont to do, she has concentrated on leaving a good legacy and trying to complete ongoing projects that the ministry is involved in. It takes maturity and uncommon tenacity to do this and obviously, these are some of the minister's strong points.

For a third world country such as Nigeria, it is quite pleasing to the eyes that the country's airports which were once an eyesore and a symbol of governmental malfeasance can change. Oduah is turning water to wine and deserves to be given a second chance; perhaps she can indeed make the land of the Nigerian prince a land flowing with milk and honey.

‘We are not angry with the Aviation Minister’

Habiba Mahmoud

One has only to look at a matter independently, broadly, and un-influenced by common-place ideas and truth will look back at him. Such is the approach to be adopted in the recent outcry over vehicles supposedly purchased by the Aviation Ministry; one has to even set-aside fundamental truths that the Aviation Ministry comfortably maintains the well-deserved position of Transformation Ambassadors in the on-going administration.

It is no longer a surprise when Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah gets above her share of well-deserved media attention. Of course this is expected as her achievement in the past and on-going as well isn’t news anymore. What is slightly new however is the approach ‘economic detractors’ have adopted, in what can be religiously referred to as, ‘a shameless and tenacious persistence to do harm to one already anointed.’

What else could be truer than that? The purchase orders for the said bullet proof BMW’s did not bear the Ministers name, neither did the bank papers. The cars were not parked in the Aviation Ministers residence, or in the parking lot allocated to her at the ministry. There is no official document that links the Aviation Minister directly to the purchase from either First Bank, or Coscharis Motors or any of the fine public serving institutions these allegations has sought to ridicule. To go a bit further, even if there was, wouldn’t that simply be suspicious? Isn’t it even remotely possible that the said figures were self-generated?

The reckless series of self-serving actions to capitalize on the sentiments in millions, of people already betrayed through spreading half-truths and quarter-lies will surely come to end.

The attempts of recent development detractors, some under the false guise of ‘experts’ to mindlessly feed off the negative emotions innocent Nigerians already marred by a series of failed administrations by putting a knife on our differences in cultures, ethnicity, religion, world views and ways of life will also come to an end.

They will come to know that Nigerians have grown weary at believing in change from the lips of those once granted the opportunity and failed to even point at the ‘promise land’, talk more of reaching it.

Although what gives strength to these false figure blabbers is that they understand that we as a people have become disarrayed at the actions of previous administrations and that our common problem has become an inability to see the problem as it is. That we fail to act when it becomes necessary, fail to recognize, pin point and identify our common enemies (they), masquerading in various forms. So they constantly attempt to shape-shift and deceive us each time. What else can make activists out of former ministers, or deliver righteousness to one who isn’t even God-fearing.

It is of no surprise therefore that the capacity of the Aviation Minister to do so much in so little time, has gained her so many social ‘distractions’. It is simply the mutual worry that some interests are no longer being represented and the actions now set in motion is one that will redefine the political machinery. 

In truth, we are no longer angry at the figures we see, or the names we hear or the actions that have been taken by those in office. We are no longer angry at being neglected, at being forgotten, at automatically being un-important, or left out of the political machinery. In less than a week, it will be a miracle if a larger amount of mis-appropriated funds does not cloud the loudly talked about vehicles.

We are not angry at Princess Stella Oduah, how can we be? She is a model of all the things we haven’t had in a long while, a physical manifestation of the power of the ‘Nigerian Woman’, an enigma to the aviation industry and the Nigerian government, an idea of consistent and creative development, an ideal that our current state of affairs forces us to seek and violently oppose.

We are not angry at the Aviation Minister. We may be angry at our legislators, at our governors and local government chairpersons, but surely not at an ‘angel of good tidings’’.

Or perhaps we really are angry that we have been left in such a deplorable state that we can no longer recognize truth from lies. That the organs we depended on to deliver to us the gains of a democratically elected government, as well as manage our God given natural and human resources failed us to such an extent that we can no longer distinctly separate successes from failures, or technocrats from criminals. No, I doubt that.

One simply has to forget that the aviation industry is the most vibrant, committed and dedicated sector to the national transformation philosophy of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration. One simply has to forget the shiny new airport terminals spread from the North to the East, or the marvellous roadmap put in place to welcome foreign investors from far and wide to Nigeria.

To put quite simply, one has to forget the Super Eagles flying back home safely, clutching victory in their hands after an odyssey of failed attempts. We are not angry at the Aviation Minister.

FG signs $500 million Aviation Infrastructure Loan agreement with China

Aviation Nigeria

The federal government of Nigeria has signed a $500 million Loan Agreement with the Chinese government for the construction of four new International airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The Agreement is one of many other Agreements and MoU’s signed in Beijing as President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan formally commenced a Two-Day State Visit to China.

The commencement of construction work on the terminals had been on hold pending the formal signing of the loan deal which will be financed by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

Reacting to the development, Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the Federal government is very elated that the loan deal for the financing of the construction of the terminals has finally been sealed.

She said airports, being the Gateways to the country are critical not only as drivers of the socio-economic development of Nigeria, but also an outward reflection of the character of any nation.

She added that developing airport and aviation infrastructure was therefore a major priority to the federal government, and commended the leadership of President Jonathan for pulling off such a remarkable milestone with the Chinese authorities. She said the simultaneous construction of four international airports will create employment and other value chains that will help to grow and expand the frontiers of the Nigerian economy.

Also reacting, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah expressed profound joy that the dream of President Jonathan to bequeath befitting international airports for the country will now be realised with the signing of the Agreement today in Beijing, China.

”I am extremely delighted with this development today. Now, real work can start as we had been eagerly waiting for this day. We promised to give the nation international airports befitting the stature and standing of Nigeria as the giant of Africa and today’s ceremony is a significant milestone towards the achievement of this objective”, Oduah declared.

NCAP 2013 in line with ICAO regulations - Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah has said that the nations airports will be structured to international standards.

"We shall not relent in our efforts to totally transform all airports in the country up to international standards" 

This was during an online media chat on 9 May 2013, held to discuss key issues about the newly released Nigerian Civil Aviation Policy 2013.

The discussion more referred to in online media language as a 'tweet-meet' featured key discussion on several topics of the policy including Private registration, Passenger insurance and the Aerotropolis project.

Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah said the formulation of the aviation policy had been ongoing for over a year adding that stakeholders were well aware and contributed to the development of the policy.

Princess Stella Oduah pointed out that steps were immediately taken to draft a new aviation policy, after a review of international practices indicated the the old policy did not completely address global trends.

While speaking about the controversial clause regarding friends and associates being barred from private jets, Oduah lamented that wrong interpretations were being made:

"The sections of the policy which people are mixing up is related to insurance for passengers on private jets."

"There is nowhere in the new policy where friends are barred from being on board their friend's private jet." Oduah said.

She stressed the need for sufficient focus on air safety and passenger insurance as well as a coordination of both: "Any insurance policy that indemnifies private jet owners in the event of an accident or mishap will be adequate." she said.

The Minister also pointed out that the new policy will also aid the tackling irregular practices in the sector.

They had been on-going media discussions about the position of the NCAP 2013 on private jet owners. Since its release during the week, several interest groups have sought to properly understand and adapt to its legal framework.

Aviation Policy aims to build a stronger sector –Minister

Aviation Nigeria

The Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah has said the main thrust of the 2013 New Civil Aviation Policy, NCAP is to develop strategic plans to build a stronger, dynamic and liberalized aviation sector that will meet present and future challenges in the sector.

The Aviation minister disclosed this at the Public Presentation Friday of the 2013 NCAP, she said “the goal of government is to put in place an Aviation sector that delivers socio-economic benefits to Nigerians”.

She recalled that “in November 2012 the Ministry of Aviation in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a technical review committee to develop a sustainable policy framework for the Nigerian Aviation Sector”.

The technical was composed of experts from both private and public sectors of the Aviation industry.

Princess Oduah mentioned that the review exercise became necessary as the NCAP was last reviewed in 2001 and the global and local aviation industry has experienced safety and security challenges as well as technological developments.

The policy review exercise revealed that the Nigerian Aviation industry needed to be restructured to enable it drive economic growth for the country as well as remain globally competitive.   These objectives, the minister noted will be effectively achieved through greater participation of the private sector in the Nigerian Aviation industry.

“The Federal ministry of Aviation is therefore repositioning the industry to be largely driven by the private sector” said the Minister.  She added that the policy review exercise clearly showed that the government’s vision for dynamic, self-sustaining air transport system is achievable.

Princess Oduah said she was pleased to present the reviewed NCAP and urged all stakeholders to join in its implementation emphasizing that “the Federal government of Nigeria is conscious of the fact that sustainable implementation of this policy is would require the collective participation of all stakeholders in the Nigerian Aviation sector”.

Stella Oduah calls for Standardization & Harmonization of Aviation Colleges in Africa

Aviation Nigeria

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has called on aviation stake-holders to increase their efforts to standardize and harmonize aviation training in Africa.

The Minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation George Ossi Ahamefula made this call at a 3-Day  Association of African Aviation Training Organizations  (AATO) Constitutive Assembly.

The conference, had the theme, Committed to the provision and sustain-ability of Aviation training excellence in Africa.

Oduah said that Africa Aviation depends greatly on AATO in accessing current global market information as regards and supplies of manpower capacity in Africa.

She also highlighted that scarcity of funds have hindered the development of training centers in the continent.

Also speaking, Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria and host of the AATO, Capt. Chinyere Kalu, gave assurances that efforts toward making the NCAT one of the best in the world were on course.

The formation of the organization aims to promote optimal development, harmonization and standardization of aviation training in Africa.

Op Ed: Recent Appointments made by Aviation Minister better than before

By Bitrus Ogba

When the people of the south west allege that they were marginalized by the appointment of the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah I get amused. And when I hear that the appointment she made was dominated by people from the south east I get bewildered.

If you check it you will discover that Oduah’s appointments were the most balanced in the industry since 1999 because it gave full representation to every part of the country. But I know why the south west is surprisingly crying marginalization. In the past they used to dominate every appointment made in the industry. And even now, if you get the list of all the workers in all the aviation parastatals, you will find out that they have the highest number of appointments.

They are alleging ethnic cleansing because other parts of the country have been given opportunity.

What I have come to know about Nigeria is that when you enjoy an unjustifiable advantage, you would want it to continue and when there is any effort to address the injustice, those benefitting will start shouting because they see it as a right to cheat others.

For example, I was privileged to access some documents in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria when Richard Aisuebeogun was the Managing Director of the Authority. These documents revealed that the former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani Kayode employed about 30 persons in FAAN. 16 of them were made assistant general managers, deputy general managers and general managers, while the rest were absorbed in other ranks.

These people did not have any aviation experience before they were employed. In fact, most of them came from local government councils and others were just thugs. These 30 people came from Osun and Ogun states. When many of them were examined medically prior to their employment, they failed medical tests; yet they were still absorbed. Many of them are still there till now.

That is the way he deployed about the same number of people to the other aviation agencies. Now, I cannot recall any group from other parts of Nigeria crying ethnic cleansing. I cannot recall the unions raising hell about it. I also know that there were efforts to reduce staff in FAAN at that time because of over bloated manpower, as the Authority lacked technical personnel but had very high number of administrative personnel because unprofessional people were dumped in the Authority.

I remember that all the efforts made to reduce that number failed because some powerful people were contacted to kill that move. And so the agency lives with that burden till today. The question is why were no outcry about marginalization and ethnic cleansing then?

To me, it was because the people that over the years have seen it as a right to dominate other people made the appointments. They did not even consider federal character; they did not even consider getting few people from other parts of the country; yet there was no deafening outcry. Today, Princess Oduah employed Nigerians into the parastastals, taking cognizance of the federal character and some people are crying wolf.

I need to be contradicted, but I am sure that most of those who are crying ethnic cleansing and marginalization have not seen the actual number of people employment and where they came from. Somebody just threw allegation into the air and it automatically transmuted into a fact; nobody cares to verify because the objective is to run some people down.

Some people, especially some journalists who are campaigning against the appointment had argued that two wrongs does not make a right; that because somebody did  it in the past does not mean that somebody should do it again. I wish this argument and logic started at least six years ago. That is why I said I am amused when I read this in the papers.

I think the earlier we realized that every Nigerian has a stake in this country and has equal opportunity in this country the better we hoped to sustain the future of our dear nation. Those who think they will continue to lord it over others should think again and realize that Nigeria was not created for them alone; it was created for all Nigerians.

Campaign of calumny can never submerge the truth; it can only heat up the political system and facts always stand out at the end of the day. And it is even surprising that the people of south west are the ones crying ethnic cleansing and marginalization. I remember some years back when they were mocking a region well known for the word, marginalization and accusing them of whipping up self-pity sentiments. Isn’t it surprising that the words ethnic cleansing and marginalization are not, after all, a monopoly of some other ethnic groups.

(Bitrus Ogba was the Former Manager Administration of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria)

Benin Airport completed in record time - Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Work has been completed and the Benin Airport has been commissioned by the Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah in the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction of aviation facilities in nationwide.

The Minister in-line with the aviation transformation agenda, earmarked 22 airports which are to face necessary reconstruction, some dating back as much as 30 years. In the last quarter of 2012, 11 airports were part of the first tranche of reconstructed facilities. The Hajj terminal in Kano State and some airports were also re-designated as perishable goods and cargo airports.

The Minister Aviation Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah who arrived aboard an Overland Airlines aircraft in company of senior Federal Ministry of Aviation officials and the CEO of Overland Airlines was received by the MD of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN George Uriesi, before proceeding to the commissioning ceremony.

The Minister while in Benin had initially paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Edo State Comrade Adams Oshiomole.

According to Oduah the Benin Airport Terminal was completed in record time as the rehabilitation took 10 months, “the runway will be ready in six weeks, we had minor issues with the contractor but that has been resolved, it will be ready in by the first week of April”

On why the reconstruction of the airport was strategic, the Minister said Edo State presented a readily economically viable route and the airport will connect Edo to other states.

Responding the Edo State governor, Comrade Oshiomole thanked the Minister for including Benin in the list of airports to be renovated, he further stated that “Nigeria is growing and we need to make more investments to meet the requirements of modern aviation.

Gov. Oshiomole also stated that the state government had embarked on re-constructing the road leading to the airport so as to complement the federal government. This he said was premised on the fact that he believed public assets required maintenance from time to time and airports presented the first impression to tourists. He also used the occasion to commend President Jonathan for the support he is extending to the Ministry of Aviation

With the remodeling Overland Airlines will now commence six flights a week from Lagos to Benin, Abuja to Benin and Benin to Port-Hacourt.

The Federal Ministry of Aviation has continued to receive commendation from aviation professionals and air travelers alike, some of which include the Good Governance Tour earlier commending the aviation minister on the work at the Benin airport, and also the granting of the 'Man of the Year' award to the aviation minister by Champions Newspaper.

GAT: Stakeholders Commend Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has been commended by Aviation Stakeholders over the commissioning of the world class General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The stakeholders described the commissioning as a great step in aviation development in Nigeria, and rare feat by the minister.

In a press statement over the weekend in Jos, signed by Capt James Dund Sha and Eng Abdullahi Menta, coordinators of the stakeholders group, they called on minister to continue in her redemptive rescue mission as the industry is witnessing a new rebirth.

Promising to support the transformational strides of the minister, they further appealed for the completion of other airports scheduled for commissioning.

According to the statement, "we have visited several airports undergoing remodeling and the quality of work is commendable. We appeal for the quick completion of the remaining airports so that the full benefits of the exercise will be maximized.”

Opinion Post: RE: Another wrong move in aviation sector

Aviation Nigeria

The Punch newspaper of Friday, January 18, 2013 in its Editorial under the above caption was characteristically very caustic in its jaundiced appraisal and ‘analysis’ of the moves by the current aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah to intervene ‘’directly’’ in the domestic operations of the local airlines in Nigeria. 

We grant The Punch, or any other newspaper in Nigeria for that matter its sacred right to hold and disseminate opinion, but we are totally averse to such opinion being expressed in the most deprecating manner! 

If the entire piece were to secure some converts to its avowed position that the private sector holds the key to all the problems in the aviation sector in Nigeria today, I sincerely doubt if any objective reader would be so convinced given the naked display of vitriol, bordering on plain hatred and utter dislike for the person of the Minister as expressed in that Editorial Opinion-which ought to be more elevated both in language and presentation. 

But ample evidence, not only in the aviation industry, but also in other sectors of the economy shows that the private sector is not the Holy Grail-in all situations, as The Punch wants us to believe. My brief does not include an exposure of past failed PPP arrangements in the country as I am pretty sure The Punch has the information at its finger-tips. 

It was however very convenient for The Punch to throw into the mix the successes in the Communications sector and the Seaports for its purposes.

Be that as it may, we like to take deliberate effort to state very emphatically that contrary to the views expressed in that piece to the effect that government, especially its intervention efforts in the aviation sector in the past have come to naught-and therefore no similar effort, regardless of the different circumstances can come to any useful purposes, is at best pedestrian. 

Like the Master Plan and Roadmap that was developed, for the very first time for the sector, the various intervention efforts by the present Minister are very well thought through. They are not a knee-jerk reaction to the challenges facing the sector.

To be sure, it is not true that Yakubu Dati, the spokesman for FAAN was the first person to break the news of government’s plan to acquire 30 aircraft to make up for the equipment deficit by domestic operators. 

Dati was only re-echoing what the Aviation Minister had personally disclosed in an interview with a national daily. My humble self had also, in an earlier Press Release made clarifications on the matter. 

But this is besides the question. It beats one’s imagination that a newspaper would make a blanket statement that ‘’it is inconceivable for this government to consider any further direct intervention with public funds’’ regardless of the circumstances. 

Without prejudice to the way and manner previous intervention funds had been utilized in the past, it is too reductionist for anyone to literally advocate a blanket ban on future intervention without looking at the merit of individual cases.

Of course, Princess Oduah has expressed strong reservations on the way and manner the Aviation Intervention Fund was utilized by beneficiary airlines. 

It will however be escapist to, on the strength of past failures, fold her arms and do nothing in the face of the critical needs of domestic operators for equipment (aircraft). 

The decision to acquire these equipment was therefore not only well thought through, but also a product of wide consultations with stakeholders and the flying public which desires brand new, safe, and efficient aircraft. 

To avoid pitfalls of the past, with attendant allegations and counter-allegations of misapplication of fund, the Minister now opted for the safe option where physical cash would not be doled out to any operator. 

And for emphasis, these equipment would not be given out for free to any airline operator-there would be stringent conditions that potential beneficiaries must meet in order to qualify as a beneficiaries. 

One of such conditions would be ability to refund (bank guarantee). 

This way, government investment would be secure, while at the same time meeting the challenge of equipment deficit on the part of operators and the desire for newer, safer aircraft from the flying public. It is going to be a win-win situation. 

The point being made is that it is too reductionist and escapist to say that since previous direct intervention failed in the past, government must run away from it like a plaque! 

What anybody should interrogate is the modalities governing the current intervention effort, not a blanket ‘BAN’ as the Punch is advocating.

The Punch agrees with our position that much of the problems of the sector are ‘’fundamentally structural’’ requiring a ‘’thorough overhaul of the dilapidated infrastructure’’. 

Pitiably, since we do not hold the same view that the private sector holds the key to the solution of all these problems, the paper conveniently choose to be silent on the huge efforts-with tangible and verifiable results, that the present Minister has undertaken to tackle the challenges. 

For several decades, the infrastructure at the nation’s airports had been left to rot and decay. It took the current Minister less than 12 months to show that government can indeed achieve results when the leadership is right.

It is curious, but not entirely surprising that the Punch is mute on the dramatic turn of fortune for airport terminals across the country that today wear grandiose and edifying look; courtesy of the re-modelling Projects embarked upon by Princess Oduah.

The infrastructural rehabilitation and upgrade currently going on across all 22 federally –owned airports more than adequately answers The Punch query of inherited derelict facilities at the airports. 

And for over five years, the runway lighting on Runway 18L at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) were not installed. 

Just before Christmas of 2012, the lights came alive courtesy of the huge efforts of NAMA to boost air safety in Nigeria. 

The Punch does not think this deserves some mention too. To be sure, we do not ask for praise; since the Minister is only doing her job, but we insist that her modest efforts be acknowledged.

We realize, like The Punch that some of FAAN’S problems are ‘‘managerial and structural’’. But when in the last quarter of 2012, the Minister took the bull by the horns in her Institutional Reform Programme to re-position FAAN and other agencies under the ministry for higher productivity, efficiency and accountability, commentators took up arms against her, falsely alleging ethnic cleansing. 

The NCAA has also been strengthened to carry out its regulatory oversight. The least we expect of The Punch is an acknowledgement of this re-positioning exercise which has seen round pegs put in round holes. Instead, what we see is a rehash of the old mantra of ‘managerial’ problems!

Talking about government’s alleged failed efforts in the past is good. It is also good to be fair and balanced. As far as the aviation sector is concerned, PPP arrangement being spear-headed by The Punch has been a huge failure and disappointment. 

We do not need to mention the scandalous Concession and Lease Agreements in the sector in the past which literally sold out government and Nigerians’ equity in government property at a pittance. 

The present leadership in the sector does not intend to travel this treacherous road again. The new National Carrier which the Minister is championing will not be funded by the tax payer, it will be private-sector driven in terms of funding while government provides the framework, platform and enabling environment. 

Curiously, this does not meet The Punch’s minimum criteria and quest for Private Sector involvement in the growth of the sector as it has equally lampooned the initiative. 

"All the ill-thought-out schemes for state-sponsored national Carrier, buying aircraft and building new terminals are driven by corruption and will only serve as new conduits for filching government funds’’, the paper concludes. Haba, Punch! But we clearly understand. 

The paper wants government property and investments in the aviation sector to be handed over to Private Sector surrogates in the name of PPP and Concessions, but this is a long-travelled road. This Minister is not going there. 

Joe Obi is the SA (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Aviation. He contributed this piece from Abuja.

Stakeholders' expectations for aviation industry in 2013

Aviation Nigeria

By Abubakar Jimoh

The aviation industry no doubt had its own fair share of ups and downs in the year 2012. In fact, with incessant air crashes that occurred in the year, some people will argue that it was all about downs and no ups.

Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry the Dana plane disaster that killed over a hundred people in Lagos, the aircraft crash that wounded Governor Danbaba Suntai and his aides in Yola, the Naval Chopper that killed 6 Nigerians in Bayelsa as well as the helicopter crash that claimed the life of DIG Haruna in Jos, Plateau state. 

As part of Stella Oduah's Transformation Agenda however, a lot of Airport remodelling was witnessed during the New Year. Repair works at most of the 21 airports across the country are all at advance stages of completion. The General Aviation Terminal 1 in Lagos is a reference point and it was rebuilt in record time at the sum of N648 million.

To put it in the words of Yakubu Dati, GM. Cooperates Communications of FAAN, "It is common knowledge that most Nigerian airports and terminals were built in the 70's and by 2011, they were decayed and in a state of utter disrepair. Airport users attest to the fact that our infrastructure was a disgrace and embarrassment to our national pride and standing in the comity of nations. It sent the wrong signals and scared investors away."

The authority spokesperson said It has been estimated that the country will need to invest about $100 billion over the next ten years in just four basic infrastructure areas; power, rail-track, road, and aviation. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, N300 billion will be required to bring the aviation sector to a satisfactory condition.

He said on resumption of office, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has left no one in doubt that she will "walk her talk". 

Worried by the scale of infrastructure deficit at the nation's airports, she initiated the reconstruction of 22 airports across the country. Within two months of being in office, 11 airports earmarked in the first phase were undergoing reconstruction simultaneously.

However industry watchers and experts while expressing optimism for the New Year offer some piece of advice that should guide the country in moving the sector forward.

For Benjamin Okewu, president of Air Traffic Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), government must take an all encompassing approach to address issues in the industry, but the labour leader opined that the welfare of workers should also top government priority as only a motivated workforce will put in their best.

 Politicisation of issues is another area the ATSSAN leader wants leaders to desist from saying politicians should leave aviation industry alone. Mr. Okewu pointed out that in other climes it was only aviation professionals who were allowed to run and man the industry, adding that aviation entails a lot of technicalities which should only be done by professionals.

According to him, the involvement of politicians in aviation business was a way of mortgaging the safety of the Nigerian travelling publics as he said that if safety should be adhered to as it is done globally then things should be done professionally.

He said "politicians who have turned themselves to aviation analysts and experts should leave the aviation industry alone in Nigeria this year 2013, so as to give safety a chance, this is how it is done all over the world. In the case of the Dana crash you witnessed and hear politicians who don't know anything in the industry saying words that were derogatory to the aviation industry in Nigeria"

"By the grace of God, I will be in the inaugural flight of Dana air tomorrow and I wonder what role the House of Representatives has to play in matters relating to aviation. When have you heard that the House of Congress in the United States of America were legislating on issues relating to aviation, it is left solely to the Federal Aviation Administration ( US FAA) in America."

Commenting on the plans of the Federal Government to give 30 aircraft to domestic airlines and make airfares affordable between the rate of N10,000 to N15,000 for an hour flight, the ATSSSAN boss said that it is possible for airfare to be pegged at such prices depending on the type of the aircraft and the policies put in place by the government.

Also speaking on the emergency installation of the Air Field Lighting System at Runway 18 left of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Comrade Okewu pointed out that since the installation, airlines have been landing and taking off beyond 6pm.

According to him, from my discussions with Air Traffic Controllers, they said that the airfield lighting system is working, adding that he wants to commend the government for putting such temporary measures in place to ameliorate the plight of the airlines.

"I want to thank the government for putting such emergency air field lighting system in place but we still need a permanent one. If it means re awarding the contract so that we can have a permanent solution to the problem of Runway 18 left once and for all," he added.

Captain Dele Ore was formally in charge of the Presidential fleets in the days of the Nigeria Airways and presently president of the Aviation Round Table, one of the pressure groups in the sector whose voice is noted for its bluntness.

President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineer, Isaac Balami has been in the forefront for the welfare of members under his association. He at several times fought for the settlement of entitlement of his members in different airlines often times.

Balami said the country is on course but warned against rancour between government and stakeholders while he also advised that the zero percent interest tariff announced by the President must not be delayed in its implementation to encourage air travelling among majority of Nigerians especially now that the terminals are wearing a new look. 

For the agencies, FAAN spokesperson, Mr. Dati said the agencies under the Ministry are being transformed and appropriate laws initiated to make them more accountable. 

He said questionable concession agreements skewed against the interest of the sector and the Nigerian publics were being vigorously reviewed to send the right signals; "it's no longer business as usual for crooked minds," he said.

In the area of safety and security, modern security equipment has been procured following a comprehensive security threat and vulnerability assessment.

"Deliberate strategies are being deployed to change the orientation of the aviation employees through capacity development. 

For instance, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, has embarked on a campaign to change the orientation of all employees of the Authority towards service delivery, accountability, and self-sustenance of the agency.

The Minister of Aviation has pursued deliberate strategies to grow the domestic airlines.

According to him, the year 2013 will witness the construction of brand new airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, and the commencement of the Aero-tropolis project; a concept that involves building cities around airports, and thus connecting businesses, suppliers, executives and goods to the aviation global world.