…IATA commends Nigeria for clearing foreign airlines trapped funds
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has advocated the inclusion of African Foreign Affairs Ministers to drive full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
He made the call during the plenary discussion at the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference in South Africa.
He argued that since the ministers were responsible for drawing the Agenda of the African Union (AU) Summit, it is expedient for them to be sensitised on the need to bring the issue of YD and SAATM to the front burner for political decisions to be taken to address existing challenges.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Head of Information, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi.
The Minister said: “To make SAATM work, it is not African Civil Aviation Ministers alone to drive them, we need to mobilise the African Union to remove the domestic restrictions, as the political leaders in Africa are the ones bestowed with the power to give directive to their Ministers on the way forward.”
Read Also: Private jets in Nigeria used for money laundering, other vices – Keyamo
Participants welcomed the recommendation as the best way to go in driving the successful operationalization of the two programmes geared towards connecting Africa and growing civil aviation in the continent.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has commended the Nigerian Government for clearing the backlog of foreign airlines trapped funds of over $831 million.
The Regional Vice President of Africa and Middle East of IATA, Mr. Kamil Al-Awadhi, made the commendation in his opening address during the conference.
Kamil, while noting the negative impacts of foreign airlines, trapped funds in some countries singled out Nigeria and commended the Government of Nigeria.
The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference themed “Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable African Aviation” serves as a premier industry event in Africa.