The Aviation industry gets an effective legal and Institutional framework for its regulation with the passage of the Civil Aviation Bill
The Senate on Tuesday passed the Civil Aviation Bill 2022, which seeks to repeal the Civil Aviation Act 2006.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Aviation.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, in his presentation, said the aim of the bill was to provide an effective legal and Institutional framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Nigeria to confirm with the standards and recommended practices set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
He added that the piece of legislation would, among others, establish rules of operation and divisions of responsibility within the Nigerian civil aviation system in order to promote air safety.
According to him, it would “ensure that Nigerians obligations under International aviation agreements are implemented; and consolidate the laws relating to civil aviation in Nigeria.”
He added that, “the bill when passed will be applicable to all persons holding licenses that have been issued or validated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”
The Senate had on January 18, passed the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Aviation.
Adeyemi, in his presentation, said the bill seeks to provide for the organization, control and operation of training programmes related to the aviation sector and other related matters.
He added that it also seeks to provide the skills required for aircraft manufacturing, distribution, installation, maintenance and operation of technical equipment to increase the margin of operational safety of civil aircraft services.
Adeyemi said the College is currently accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run National Diploma and Higher National Diploma Courses.
According to the lawmaker, the College admits National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students through the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), while its graduates are eligible to participate in the National Youth Service Corps.
He explained that the bill’s passage and eventual assent into law, would legalize the new status of the College and enable it to be listed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to benefit from TETFUND.
He said being a TETFUND beneficiary would “allow it (college) to fill significant gaps through the fund.”
He noted that the bill’s passage would also provide the needed legal backing for the College as a regional training center of the ICAO.
