Minister of State Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika says inputs and feedback from stakeholders is key for policy formulation, programme development and refining of strategies for implementation of plans.
He said its the Ministry’s strategy to always engage and consult stakeholders geared toward the development of the sector.
Sirika who stated this at the 4th stakeholders forum in Abuja noted that the gathering was to update Stakeholders on the developments in the Aviation Sector since the last Stakeholders Forum, discuss progress so far attained in the implementation of the Aviation Sector Roadmap earlier presented to Stakeholders, envision the Aviation Sector of our dream for the next 2-3 years and Present steps taken by Government to address challenges in the Sector.
The Minister noted some of these challenges to include,High cost of Jet A1, and Budgetary Constraints and slow pace of infrastructural development.
In spite of the progress made, he said the industry was still faced with,”High rate of equipment /instrument obsolesces and degradation, Inadequate Technical and Aging Workforce and Non-optimization of Bilateral/Multilateral Air Service Agreements”.
Sirika assured that the Federal Ministry of Transport, FMoT remained committed to making air transportation the preferred and safest means of transportation, creating a self-sustaining business model and driving socio-economic growth in Nigeria.
“Our vision for the future include: developing a hub to take full advantage of our potentials, developing requisite capacity and manpower especially Aviation business Managers and scientists to engage in research and development,establishing a business model that will make the industry self-sustaining through Public Private Partnership, an industry that provides all the maintenance needs in the country thereby reducing capital flight,Optimum utilization of BASA and MASA to the advantage of indigenous airlines, industry with improved infrastructure and quality service delivery and the contribution of the Sector to the socio-economic development of the Nigerian Economy through increased trade and in-flow of FDI and resultant job creation”.
