Buhari Assures Of Sustained Investment in Aviation Sector

07 Dec Buhari Assures Of Sustained Investment in Aviation Sector

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), that Nigeria will continue to make significant investments in the provision of aviation infrastructure for safe, secure, environmentally friendly and sustainable economic development of international civil aviation.

Buhari made the commitment Tuesday in Abuja when he received in audience the ICAO President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu.

Recalling the long history between Nigeria and ICAO, the President declared:

“Nigeria has been a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) since 1962, and has continued to make valuable contributions to the ICAO Council’s work and its activities.

“This country has been playing key role in supporting the implementation of ICAO Policies and Programmes internationally, and particularly in the African region.

“To this end, Nigeria has ratified all international air law instruments like the Montreal Protocol and amendments to some articles of the Chicago Convention,” Buhari said.

He told his guest that Nigeria was championing the cause of Aviation safety, security and facilitation in Africa.

According to President Buhari, “I have recently signed into law Civil Aviation Act 2022. This is to reposition the industry to ensure continuous compliance with ICAO standards and to meet the challenges of a dynamic and rapidly growing air transport sector,” while  assuring the ICAO President that “aviation industry in Nigeria is increasing by leaps and bounds.”

“I have approved also the establishment of Aviation and Aerospace University in Abuja to cater for research and development in the sector as well as the managerial challenges. In this regard, Nigeria has already started receiving the support of ICAO members like Qatar under the No Country Left Behind Initiative,” he noted.

The President expressed confidence that the aviation sector in Nigeria would continue to grow, affirming that “the roadmap of the Ministry of Aviation superintended by Senator Hadi Sirika, is on course and together with other reforms of this administration will be sustained.”

While congratulating Mr. Sciacchitano on his re-election as President of the ICAO Council for the second term, President Buhari also appreciated the support Nigeria had enjoyed under his leadership, which, according to him,  culminated in Nigeria’s re-election during the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly.