There are indications that President Muhammadu Buhari would at any moment soon give assent to the new Civil Aviation Bill, recently passed by the National Assembly.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, in his goodwill message at the on-going Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC) in Abuja disclosed that President Buhari would at any moment from now sign into law the passed Civil Aviation Bill by the National Assembly
Sirika assured that with the president’s assent to the bill, the Nigerian aviation industry would grow rapidly, while more opportunities would also be created for all stakeholders and investors.
He pointed out that the Aviation Industry Roadmap as approved by the federal government was intentionally fashioned after the Public Private Participation (PPP) model with the plan to grow the entire sector.
The minister challenged investors to tap into the myriads of opportunities in the sector, especially with the recently approved 12 hectares of land for implementation of the aviation roadmap by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Some items in the aviation roadmap include MRO, Aviation Leasing Company, National Carrier, Aerospace University, Airport Concession and Aeropolis amongst others.
He added: “We are ready to pursue all the components of the roadmap. Every part of the roadmap has reached advanced stages and all would be delivered before the end of this administration. Aviation industry in Nigeria is a goldmine, but it is still virgin.
“Globally, the core variables that sustain the aviso industry are safety and security. We must continue to sustain these in the country.”
He reiterated that the federal government was willing and ready to discuss business, and partner with investors to bring the desired growth and development to the industry.
The first Nigerian pilot, Captain Bob Hayes, in his address at the conference congratulated FAAN for putting together the conference to discuss challenges militating the efficiency of this industry, as well as proffering long lasting solutions to the challenges.
Hayes stated that all the government’s roadmap for the sector would grow the industry if well-implemented.
He therefore, called on all investors to partner with the government in order to ensure industry growth.