WHAT THE NEW NIGERIAN AVIATION MINISTER CAN DO IN A YEAR

In the short period available to the new minister, we would like to see her complete the concession program of various airports under the bundling option. She should also set up an independent committee to look into all other concessions and commercial agreements within the airport vicinity nationwide. This is to ensure improved revenue generation for government, which will help sustain and maintain unviable airports.

It is a norm to see the government reshuffling at the centre and the new minister doing same with agencies under his supervision. Therefore, the minister needs to look at some nepotistical appointments and recycling of tired professional, which is inimical to the growth and aspirations of core professionals in the agencies. In the past it was limited to directors and above, the trend changed for the worse in this democratic dispensation whereby middle cadre staff and contractors are forced on the agencies bloating staff strength and overall cost of operation.

For the service providers, NAMA should be corporatized not privatized just like their counterpart in South Africa. It will improve service delivery, breed internal stability with enduring professionalism, facilitate quick collection of fees and other charges owed it. The organization is trapped in government bureaucracy and political caprices.

Also the government owned but obviously comatose Sky power Catering needs a new life. Internationally recognized catering firms should be invited to revamp it, while efforts must be geared towards having a befitting hanger and flying schools spread across the country. This will reduce capital flight, generate employment, improve and expand the professional market.

The minister should look at the local airlines that are either shrinking or vanishing, we must stop the rot by addressing fundamental issues such as ownership, management and size. In the developed countries it is initiated and privately driven while being supported by the government. For developing countries like ours it is initiated, driven by the government while being supported by the carriers.

The laboratory equipment that will speed up the investigative process of the Accident Investigation Bureau was luckily included in this year’s budget. It should be implemented to aid the organization’s long and often times unending investigation and not returned to the treasury as unspent.

The new minister should be an ultra loyalist of Nigerian carriers and must refrain from showing bias for any foreign carrier.KLM, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and of late Lufthansa are airlines that benefited from the compromised leadership of the ministry. She must guard against the continuous revving of the engine without moving, which was a hallmark of the last administration.