President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria and former CEO of Associated Airlines, Alex Nwuba, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, provided valuable insights into the current developments within the Nigerian aviation sector. Nwuba addressed a range of issues, including the government’s plans for aviation, bilateral agreements with foreign airlines, safety concerns, and the inconveniences faced by travellers during the ongoing terminal expansion at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.
The federal government has decided to demolish two private jet terminals and aircraft hangars to make way for the expansion of the newly inaugurated international terminal at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos. Nwuba acknowledged that there had been no prior consultation with industry stakeholders regarding the proposals made by the newly-appointed minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo. However, he emphasised the importance of such engagement, stating, “Stakeholder engagement hasn’t taken place yet, and so that would be a process he would have to engage himself in to get feedback from the industry stakeholders.”
Nwuba recognized the challenges with the existing terminal, describing it as “a big mess.” He pointed out that previous ministers had also acknowledged these issues but had not taken comprehensive steps to address them. “The position of this current minister is that we’re going to get this thing solved once and for all and then we’re going stop talking about it,” Nwuba stated.
He expressed hope that the minister would consult with stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure a balanced and effective solution.
Regarding the ongoing issue between Nigeria and Emirates, Nwuba highlighted the need for reciprocity in bilateral agreements. He explained that foreign airlines, such as Emirates and British Airways, have enjoyed access to Nigeria’s primary airports while offering Nigerian carriers secondary airports. Nwuba stressed the importance of reciprocity, stating, “That’s the basis of the bilateral air service agreement.” He called for a fair distribution of access and expressed optimism about the government’s efforts to negotiate more balanced agreements.
Nwuba also touched on the challenges faced by Nigerian carriers operating international routes. He emphasised the importance of creating a level playing field and ensuring that Nigerian airlines have the opportunity to operate more frequently in foreign markets. He noted that achieving this balance would require collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders.
Addressing concerns about safety standards in Nigerian aviation, Nwuba reassured the public that Nigerian aviation is safe. He pointed out that the country has not experienced a major air crash in over a decade. He discussed recent incidents involving tire issues and fuel quality, emphasising that these were accidents rather than systemic issues. Nwuba commended the Civil Aviation Authority for taking preemptive measures to maintain safety standards, including ensuring the quality of fuel delivered to aircrafts.
Nwuba spoke on the inconveniences faced by travellers during the ongoing terminal expansion stating that though it is an unfortunate inconvenience, it is a necessary step toward building a better society.
He stated, ” These are unfortunate things that we pay for the fact that we haven’t done the right thing for so long.” likening the situation to other challenges, such as the removal of fuel subsidies. Nwuba emphasised the need for sacrifices to achieve improvements in the country and society.
In conclusion, the interview with Alex Nwuba shed light on several critical aspects of Nigeria’s aviation sector, including the need for stakeholder engagement, balanced bilateral agreements, safety standards, and the challenges faced by travellers during terminal expansion. Nwuba’s insights provide valuable perspectives for both industry professionals and the general public as Nigeria continues to develop and refine its aviation policies and infrastructure.
Kiki Garba
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