Abuja — Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said establishment of a national carrier is on the list of priorities of the current administration.
He highlighted other areas of focus to include construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, introduction of Aviation Development Fund for remodeling of the airports across the country and sustaining existing structures.
Sirika spoke in his office during formal handing over to him by the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Bello. He pledged to ensure that every fund meant for projects in the aviation sector would be released judiciously and appropriately used to bring the desired change to the sector.
Emphasizing the need for the training and re-training of staff in the sector, Sirika said the industry should comprise of professionals whose proficiency should be enhanced so as cover possible errors.
The outgoing Permanent Secretary said the ministry, during her six months sojourn, delivered effectively on the core mandate of ensuring safety, security and comfort of air travelers.
Bello listed some of the challenges in the aviation sector as dwindling Federal Government appropriation for capital projects, repayment of DMO/Chinese EXIM Bank loans, introduction of a national carrier, high rate of equipment/instruments obsolesce and degradation, high third party indebtedness, and slow pace of infrastructural development.
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