By Adekunle Williams
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace has promised to work with its agencies to adhere strictly to global best practices of safety of flying public and other airports users.
The ministry also promised to ensure implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO’s) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, made the pledge in his opening remarks at the 27th Annual Conference of the League of Aviation and Airports Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the conference is with the themed: “Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies”.
Meribole said the ministry would continue to adhere to its mandate of formulation and implementation of policies and programmes on civil aviation.
Meribole, represented by its Director, Air Transport Management Department, Mr
Hassan Ejibunu said it would fulfilled on its mandate with the ninth National Assembly providing them with the enabling laws for it to deliver on their mandates.
“Nigeria, as a country, will continue to work to ensure that it aligns herself with global best practices and implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO’s) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
“The ministry and its agencies will continue to work assiduously towards the achievements of their individual mandates and in line with the laws establishing them.
“Also, it is in realisation of the facts that aviation is dynamic which at times require changing strategies, when necessary.
“This is why the ministry got the ninth National Assembly to work on the enabling laws of the Agencies to give them the required impetus to deliver on their mandates.
“This is in line with the ICAO Recommended Practices. I am particularly confident that with the new enabling Acts, the Agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace should be able to deliver without any form of encumbrances,” he said.
The permanent secretary promised that the ministry would improve on overseeing air transportation, airport development and infrastructural facilities, management, provision of Aviation provision of aviation security.
According to him, the ministry will also ensure improvement of airspace management and other needs in conformity with international standards and best practices.
Meribole said as a crucial stakeholder in the aviation industry, the ministry would continue to collaborate with LAAC to ensure that the aviation industry continues to make giant strides in the country.
He noted that the door of the ministry was opened, calling on media practitioners to always verify and confirm information on issues through official channels.
Meribole said this was because the media space had been awashed with misinformation and disinformation in which, if not carefully verified, and painstakingly investigated was capable of threatening peace and unity in the dear Nation.
The permanent secretary said it would continue to maintain the tempo of collaboration and cooperation to ensure that the people received the best services required in the aviation industry in the country. (NAN)