Caution, angst trail planned merger of aviation agencies

The proposed merger of three aviation agencies by the Federal government has been met with stiff resistance as major unions and stakeholders in the sector have cautioned against it.

The report of the presidential committee on restructuring of federal government owned parastatals headed by Stanley Oransanye, in its submission to Government had advised that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Meterological Agency (NIMET) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) be merged.

However, government accepted the merging of the three agencies and rejected the privatisation of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) based on perceived security challenges.

As much as the stakeholders described the setting up of the committee as noble with the objective of reducing governance cost, they have said that unfortunately, with respect to aviation industry, the report is “unfavourable, archaic and capable of dragging the industry backwards with attendant loss of confidence and increased cost of operation.

“The regulator and service provider cannot be under one roof or management. This, in essence, makes a mockery of regulation and certification. The international community has applauded our development and strides; we do not need the Oransanye report to drag us back,” Olumide Ohunayo, a travel analyst said.

Ohunayo however questioned if there was “there a subtle connivance among some top aviation managers despite ‘their frequent visit to Abuja. Aviation is not limited to Nigeria; it is global with recommended standards and practices. NIMET provides meteorological services to aviation, maritime, agriculture, construction, the agency relates with the world meteorological body and numerous bodies within the; country that cut across different sectors of the economy.

“Our benevolence over the years in giving subsidy to the organisation through the passenger ticket tax should not be mistaken for ownership, therefore NIMET can stand alone or be attached to the Ministry of Transport, while we pay for services rendered to the industry, just like others do”, he added.

He explained that NAMA is a provider of air navigation services, which is done at a fee to local and international airlines adding that government should reduce the number of directorates and top management staff, which grew astronomically without commensurate level of service and revenue generation.

“NCAA is the regulator and backbone of the industry. We must put our best foot forward and be bold enough to engage foreign technical assistance, if need be. It is advisable to advertise openings and recruitments for able and competent hands, rather than politicise employment. The organisation’s organogram is skewed and inappropriately placed due to the political employment witnessed in the last two years.

According to Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the decision is totally against the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulation in section 8335.

According to ICAO, “Separation of provision from regulation is consistent with principles of good governance; the regulatory oversight function must be seen as independent and transparent.”

ICAO which is made up of 197 countries member state over 110 have complied and have moved on with the demerger of agencies.

Nogie Meggison, chairman of the association, said autonomy for the air navigation services provider and its separation from the regulatory oversight function was well established in ICAO guidance material, adding that “it is not right to have the NCAA as the referee and the player at the same time. NCAA has been statutory established in compliance with ICAO set standards and practices.

“It is baffling that countries like South Africa and Ghana came to Nigeria to learn about our independent agencies and how they run as per ICAO regulations have gone back to their countries to comply what they came to learn from us. Unfortunately, Nigeria is attempting to go back to the obsolete form. It is like move from analogue to digital and decide to go back to analogue system again,” he lamented.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) jointly described the decision as ill-timed, ill-conceived and inimical to the sustenance of the feat Nigeria has attained in the area of international certification by ICAO and the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America (FAA CAT 1).

“We wish to remind the Federal government about Nigeria’s obligations under the Chicago convention of 1944 and the consequential commitment to subject its civil aviation activities to regular, routine and scheduled oversight/inspection ICAO which is charged with the responsibility of setting standards for civil aviation and over sighting same globally through its universal safety audit oversight programme,” the coalition stated.

Sade Williams