As the current government winds down, it is making spirited efforts to meet the 2023 aviation roadmap target, LILIAN UKAGWU writes
The country’s aviation sector is beleaguered with manifold challenges, such as deficient infrastructure, exorbitant operating costs, and unsatisfactory safety records. Given the critical roles played by the aviation sector in the economy, the Federal Government has expressed its commitment to making the country a West African hub for air transportation.
To back up their promises, the government established a goal to elevate the country’s aviation industry to new heights by 2023. In pursuit of this goal, a detailed roadmap has been unveiled, which lays out the necessary actions to bring this ambitious vision to fruition. However, with less than two months to May 29, when the current administration would wind down, the government is racing against time to meet its targets.
The aviation roadmap includes the rehabilitation and upgrade of existing airports, the construction of new terminals, and the introduction of new technologies to enhance safety and efficiency. The government also plans to establish a national carrier, which will enable Nigeria to compete with other countries in the region.
To improve safety in the aviation industry, the government said it ensures the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and the establishment of a safety oversight system. It also plans to invest in modern technology and equipment to enhance air traffic management and improve communication between air traffic controllers and pilots.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirka, recently announced on his Twitter that the government had procured one out of nine primary radar equipment, aimed at enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of the country’s aviation industry.
He claimed that the procurement of the new radar equipment was in line with the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s (retd) vision for the aviation sector, which had been focused on ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of air travel since 2015.
Meanwhile, the exclusion of the Nigerian Air Force in the procurement of primary radar equipment did not go down well with some stakeholders.
The CEO of Centurion Security, Group Capt. John Ojikutu, “It is curious that the minister is buying airspace surveillance radar without the inclusion or knowledge of the Nigeria Airforce. No country does that. Airspace surveillance is a joint operation between the civil ATCS and the Air Force.
“It is also worrisome that it is the minister that is doing all the buying and not the responsible agency, NAMA, especially in coordination with the NAF.”
Meanwhile, the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria December 2022 was upgraded to the National Safety Investigation Bureau following the new NSIB Act 2022, which was assented to by the President. The upgrade allows the bureau to investigate serious incidents and accidents in the aviation industry, maritime, rail and road following the repeal of the AIB Act.
Another important target is the upgrade of infrastructure at airports across the country. The government is aiming to rehabilitate existing terminals and construct new ones to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The government also aims to invest in the construction of new runways and taxiways, which will enable airports to handle more aircraft and reduce delays.
So far, the government has constructed new terminals in some airports, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt. The government has also installed airfield lighting in some of the airports,
The country’s last national carrier stopped operations on September 10, 2012. Since then, the government has been struggling to float a new national carrier that will operate both domestic and international flights and enable the country to compete with other countries in the region, boost tourism, and create jobs for Nigerians. Hence, the aviation roadmap targets to establish a national carrier that is expected to be fully operational this year.
The process of establishing the new national carrier has been embroiled in controversies. Some local airlines and the Airlines Operators of Nigeria had gone to court to stop the new national carrier over claims that due process was not followed in the establishment of the new national carrier, Nigeria Air.
However, despite the case instituted against the establishment of the new national carrier, the government has insisted that it would commence operations on or before May 29.
Sirika recently noted that the national carrier is an essential element of the roadmap due to its potential to generate jobs, influence the economy, and enhance the nation’s image branding.
Currently, Nigeria Air has been selected as the carrier, and it has an approved outline business case, an interim board and management team, and Ethiopian Air as a core investor.
Sirika said, “Negotiation meeting with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria is ongoing. Next step: Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of the Full Business Case (FBC). We will commence the operation of local and international flights soon. Before the end of this administration, before May 29, we will fly.”
According to the minister, the project is 98 per cent completed.
The minister added, “A recent aviation sector study for Nigeria by International Air Transportation Association in June 2020, showcases the significant contribution of air transportation to the national economy, through providing 241,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and a contribution of $1.7bn to the national economy.
“However, with the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the aviation sector’s contribution from the current 0.6 per cent to five per cent approximately $14.166bn.”
The establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre is part of the roadmap, which stakeholders say is critical for the diversification and repositioning of the aviation industry as it provides aircraft repairs, overhaul and maintenance services. Experts say this facility does not currently exist in the whole of West and Central Africa.
The Full Business Case of the MRO has been completed and the certificate of compliance issued by the ICRC and has been approved by FEC. The project is also billed to commence operation before May 29 2023,
The FG anticipates that 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 will create jobs and grow the local industry. Hence, it plans to establish an aerotropolis (Airport Cities). The aerotropolis will contain the full complement of commercial facilities that support airlines and aviation-linked businesses. Other components of the project include the development of hospitality and tourism-oriented real estate assets; and ancillary support infrastructure. Currently, land has been acquired for the project, and the process for the selection of a preferred partner has commenced.
The aviation minister noted the designation of four international airports (Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt) as Special Economic Zone was approved by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari on May 17, 2021.
Meanwhile, he noted that the commencement of implementation processes with NEPZA was ongoing, adding that the benefits of Special Economic Zones were a more efficient and business-friendly trade environment with less bureaucratic red tape because of the associated fiscal incentives and packages and attracting world-class international and local airlines/companies into the Nigeria aviation industry.
According to him, it will also attract investment incentives which include; Investment Policies and Protection, General Tax Based Incentives, Sector Specific Incentives, Tariff Based Incentives and Export Incentives.
More benefits are attracting Foreign Direct Investment and generating employment opportunities and human capital development, thus stimulating the overall improvement of the Nigerian Aviation Industry and improving the overall ease of doing business in Nigeria and more.
To make the airport more efficient, the government has started plans to partner with private sector operators to them through concession.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano the old International and domestic terminal – terminal, ramp, car park, new international terminal-terminal ramp and cargo ramp (developed) are to be on concession. The government has already kicked start negotiations with preferred bidders and Draft Full Business Case has been finalized. The FG is targeting a completion period of the second quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile, Concerns have been raised by experts regarding the feasibility of the roadmap timelines. They are questioning whether the FG can accomplish these massive projects within the limited timeframe.
Despite the claim by the government most of the projects have crossed the 90 per cent completion mark, there are still significant milestones that need to be achieved.
The CEO of Centurion Security, John Ojikutu, expressed doubts about the government’s ability to achieve the roadmap.
He stated argued that it would be difficult to complete any of the projects with only six weeks left for the current administration.
Ojikutu said, “Forget about the roughage on the so-called roadmap. I can’t see any one of them being fully fulfilled, even now when it is just about six weeks to the end of the administration and none has reached 50 per cent completion.”
The Assistant Secretary General, Aviation RoundTable, Olumide Ohunayo, said, “I think we have gone past the resection. We are in the stage of transition. In transition, wherever you have stopped, you begin to prepare your handover note for the next administration.
“Unfortunately, we have accessed the execution so far, do I need to say more if you look at the litigation that is coming on the concession, the national carrier project, the university that has only one or two courses, and the MRO that has not kicked off till this moment? And they have spent eight years, “Ohunayo said.
