The National Association of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has implored President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an aviation professional as aviation minister in order to stop cutting corners and move the industry forward.
NAUTE President, Olayinka Abioye, in a congratulatory letter to Buhari, said an internationally regulated and highly technical industry should not be handled by political manipulators.
He insisted that it is a job for a principled, properly trained, and experienced professional with a solid record of integrity and performance as well as strong character.
“The choice of a core professional would also inspire other professionals in the sector to work hard and be counted,” Abioye pitched.
“In the same vein, a professional would be better positioned to stop ‘cutting of corners,’” a term used to refer to malpractices in the sector.
“A professional would also be well positioned and better equipped to address safety, security and the development of the nation’s airports and airspace, which has been neglected over the years in favour of remodeling which provides faster and cheaper money for the boys.”
Since the return of democracy 16 years ago, he recalled, no aviation professional has been appointed as minister, and this has retarded progress in the sector.
Abioye urged Buhari to consider that aviation is the biggest promoter of international trade, noting that Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth and one of the largest exporters of crude oil in the world, has not attracted as much foreign direct investment as it should have done.
He said the factors inhibiting foreign investment include safety and security of Nigeria’s airport and airspace.
“As a responsible trade union concerned with the growth and development of the aviation sector of our national economy, we have found it extremely expedient to canvass a policy thrust that will galvanise the industry into providing a safe, secure and efficient air transport industry.
“Taking cognizance of the significance of aviation as a global business with the challenges and complexities of managing airports, airlines and air navigation facilities as well as human traffic, it is our conviction that leadership of such an internationally regulated and highly technical industry should not be left in the hands of political manipulators/jobbers.”
But in appointing a professional, NUATE advised, care must be taken to avoid those who were responsible for the demise of Nigeria Airways and the aviation sector as a whole.
“Most if not all of them are against change, the change which will bring good to the sector and the country while dislocating their long lasting selfish interests that have hitherto derailed growth of the sector.
“Many of them are still very much around parading themselves as the best hands in the sector.”