The renovation/remodelling projects embarked upon by the Aviation Ministry across major airports in the country has sparked controversy. While some stakeholders say there is scam in the scheme, others express disappointment on why airports are commissioned when the work done is said to be not up to 50 per cent.
The Deputy Secretary General, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, in this interview, urges President Goodluck Jonathan to scrap the Aviation Ministry and grant Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) full autonomy to run the sector. He also calls on the National Assembly to probe airport projects across the country.
Why do you want President Jonathan to scrap the Aviation Ministry?
There is no Ministry of Aviation any where in the world where the citizens work honestly to develop their economies. It is only in Nigeria that we have Aviation Ministry. Our own ministry has become so ineffective and must be scrapped to ensure sanity in the industry. NCAA must be granted fully autonomy to run the industry like what obtains in developed countries.
For example, the President granted waivers on importation of aircraft and spare parts to enhance growth in the sector but some people in the ministry are trying to hinder the process of free importation of aircraft to exploit the airline operators. They would tell you to go the ministry and obtain a written note from someone on a policy that Mr. President has already made a pronouncement. Jonathan has done his part, but some people in government are creating problems for him.
Most airline operators are already expressing discontent about the airports projects even when President Jonathan has commissioned those projects. Does it mean he is not aware that the work done is not up to 50 per cent?
The truth is that Jonathan has good intention but implementation by people working with him, especially the contractors, is very poor. It is quite obvious that some people in government are creating problems for the President by not doing a good job. He must have been deceived to commission the airports when the projects are not completed. Those people know exactly what they are doing, because they allowed the President to commission the airports when the work done is not up to 50 per cent.
Why did the President not carry out a thorough assessment of the projects before commissioning?
Looking at the way the whole exercise took place. Jonathan was deceived by the people who knew that the projects were not fully executed. For instance, because of the insecurity in the country, he could not thoroughly inspect the projects by himself. So, he just saw part of the airports and commissioned with the hope that the work was fully done. If we want to do the right thing, the contractors must be called back to do the work well for sustainability.
Can you list specific airports where the projects are not fully executed?
Kaduna airport is number one. The quality of work there is nothing to reckon with. The terminal building is not completed and they left it half way. What is even surprising is the fact that the Vice President is not saying anything about the poor quality of work in the airport. Kano airport is worse than Kaduna because, as I speak, there is no counter for people to use. After launching, it was locked up and now rain has removed the roof. You can see the shameful situation we are in this country. Work in Enugu airport has not finished till now.
Are you saying the renovation of airports across the country is not a good initiative?
No, that is not what I am saying. The renovation of airports is a good initiative but the work is not properly done. The poor quality of work done is the reason the whole thing is becoming an issue. The contractors must be called to order.
What is the way forward?
The Senate must take the step to probe the airport projects across the country. Their oversight function should include checking the projects done and the amount given to ascertain if the projects are commensurate with the billions of Naira released so far. The Senate must also investigate how much money was collected for a particular airport and the level of work done, because so much has been given for the projects and yet an airport is already leaking after rains.
Are you sure the minister is aware of the poor quality of work done at these airports?
If the Minister is not aware, then let her set up another committee to inspect the projects and monitor the activities of the contractors in charged, instead of saying that people don’t like her. What legacy will she leave behind with these projects? For instance, the glasses used at airports are not of good quality and that is why you have to close your ears due to the sound. The Minister must prepare her records to reconcile with the money collected and what she has done. The poor quality of work is a national disgrace for Nigeria and a slap on our faces.
Many people in the industry are complaining about the quality of work done at the airports. Why is the Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) not talking?
Well, the Managing Director of FAAN has a good team but he cannot come out openly and talk. May be some people are preventing him from saying the right thing.
What are other challenges facing the industry at present?
Another challenge now is the new policy introduced by the Minister, which contradicts the Civil Aviation Act of 2006. The existing Act complies with the aviation regulation globally and if we throw it away and accept the new policy, Nigeria may lose the Category One certification. It took NCAA time and efforts to achieve the Category One and we may end up losing it just like that.
The new policy was written by the current Minister with some people. They just wrote something and took it to government for approval without passing through the National Assembly. Such policy is not recognised because it was signed when there was no Director General of NCAA. The former Director General left office and handed over to a senior Director in the organisation. So, the paper signed is invalid, because there was no Director General and due process was not followed.
This new policy may pose a serious challenge for the new Director General of NCAA, because even the Category One given to Nigeria still has some outstanding issues to tackle, in order to achieve 100 per cent certification.
Another challenge is the fact that we have not finished the remodelling projects but the airports have been launched already.
Vanguard
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