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Tag: Hadi Sirika

  • Airports concession: NASS to meet Sirika, aviation unions on Wednesday

    Airports concession: NASS to meet Sirika, aviation unions on Wednesday

    The National Assembly ( NASS ) on Monday summoned State Minister for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and other stakeholders in the industry over the concession of four major airports in the country.

    The General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ), Mr Olayinka Abioye, confirmed the development in Lagos.

    The Federal Government plans to concession Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports to enable them meet international standard.

    “The NASS has invited us for a meeting on Wednesday. It is a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    “They have invited the minister, the unions and other civil society groups to deliberate on issues surrounding the concession of the airports,’’ Abioye said.

    He also noted that the unions had suspended their 15 days ultimatum over the concession issues following the intervention of the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

    Abioye said: “the minister of labour has intercepted that ultimatum. He invited us to Abuja for a meeting last week including the minister of aviation.

    “Each party laid bare their own side of the story and the minister has now agreed that workers and the unions will be fully carried along because we also alleged that we were not in the know of so many things he was doing.

    “He has promised that they will expand the scope of their operations and carry everybody along.’’

    The NUATE secretary general said at the meeting, Sirika explained that the issue of concession was his own idea but that the transaction advisers who had been appointed would determine the type of models for the concession process.

    According to him, the unions were informed that the three of the transaction advisers were from the United Kingdom, one from the United States, and one from Nigeria to serve as local content partner.

    NAN

  • FG approves payment of Nigeria Airways staff entitlements

    FG approves payment of Nigeria Airways staff entitlements

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said on Wednesday the Federal Government has approved the payment of N45billion severance package to former staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

    The national carrier was liquidated by ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2005, and the workers had been embarking on protests nationwide over their unpaid entitlements.

    Sirika told State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that money has been approved for the settlement of the entitlements.

    “Governments, in the past, decided just to liquidate Nigeria Airways without tending to the issue of the entitlements of the workers and they have been struggling to get that paid. We came in and took it very seriously.

    “I’m happy to announce that Mr. President has approved N45 billion which has been confirmed to be the entitlements of these workers and Ministry of Finance has been instructed to pay the money. The ministry wrote to me last week that they have received the instruction to pay these workers, and therefore, they are setting up the modalities to pay.

    “You should know it won’t be paid through my ministry before somebody will say I take some of it. It will be paid by finance through a process, and that process will commence very soon,’’ he said.

    The minister disclosed that the Council approved the procurement of operational vehicles for Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    NAN

  • FG okays N45 billion to clear Nigeria Airways workers’ backlog 

    FG okays N45 billion to clear Nigeria Airways workers’ backlog 

    The Federal Government has approved N45 billion to settle the outstanding payments owed the workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa.

    According to him, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has been given directive on the payment to workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways

    The workers had staged protests against the over 20 years debt owed Nigeria Airways

    Details Later…

  • FAAN, NiMet get international certification – Minister

    FAAN, NiMet get international certification – Minister

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has received international certification for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ).

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika while receiving the certification of FAAN and Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet ) in
Abuja on Tuesday, said both certificates were huge achievements toward security and safety in the aviation sector.

    He said that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was the first international Airport in Nigeria to meet the requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and NCAA regulations.

    “This is indeed a huge achievement as far as we are concerned, Mr President had told us to secure this country and manage it, therefore, inline with his vision we align in building institutions and getting them to work well.
    “Because once that is achieved it means that we are managing the country well, strong institutions will definitely begets strong nation.

    The country had tried time and again to certify our airports in the past.

    “It is a global requirements by International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) convention and Aerodrome requires that airports must be standardised.
    “Under different ownership, under different cultures and climates, under different conditions all over the world and they must be standardise and they must reflect certain minimum standard of safety and security.

    “This made it very paramount to ensure that our airports are certified.

    “We promised the nation that we will get these airports certified, today by the grace of God we have achieved that milestone,” he said.

    According to him, they are beginning to certify the airports with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport been the first to be certified by NCAA through ICAO standards.

    He said this certification borders on safety which is a huge achievement in making sure that the nation institutions are strong, dynamic, focused and sensitive.

    Sirika, however, commended the Ministry of Transportation for making the certification achievable and possible, stating that they hope to get certification for Nnamdi Nzikiwe airport before the end of the year.

    He said they would ensure that both international and domestic airports get certified which would increase the value, the insurance would be low, charges and ticket would be lower as a result of the certification.

    The Minister of State noted that the world will be at peace to know that Nigeria aviation is secured with flight operation being safe and secured within and outside the country.

    He said that Mr President and the National Council had approved the concessioning of four major airports in the country which are Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    Sirika further said that Nigeria will host the International Civil Aviation Organisation World Aviation Forum taking place on the Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja, which is the first time the forum will be held outside Canada.

    Speaking earlier, Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma said FAAN has successfully completed the Aerodrome certification process of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    He said that the Aerodrome certification is an international requirement with the primary objective to ensure that all international Airports meets international safety standards.

    “Aerodrome certification means ensuring the standardisation and harmonisation of airport service, facilities and procedures, as well as ensuring uniformity in safety.”

    He said that the drive toward certification of Nigeria airports was yielding positive result as Nigeria was implementing one of the critical safety targets.

    He said that Nigeria started the process of certification 11 years ago but due to several reasons they were unable to certify the airports until now.

    According to him, with the certification of the Murtala Muhammad Airport, they will concentrate on the Nmandi Nzikiwe international Airport in Abuja, then to other airport.

    He said FAAN was committed in the drive to get the aerodrome certification for all the airports in Nigeria.

    Dunoma said that the certification would be renewed after three years, which will be year 2020.

    Director for Western and Central Africa, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

    Mr Sani Marshi, the Director-General of NiMet presented the International Standard Organisation (ISO) 2015 certification to the minister.

    He said that NiMet was the first in the continent to have been given the international certification in compliance with international best practices.

    He said that this is a huge achievement in the Nigerian aviation sector as Nigeria would become an example to other African countries.

    Mr Mam Sait Jallow, ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said that both certifications are two key standards related to safety as most of the aircraft accidents are due to issued related to runway safety and also weather conditions.

    “These are really key achievements which we wanted to witness and we won’t stop here because we are still in house and we have to climb on the roofs to publish what we have done.

    “Technically, we have just concluded phase four and as far as certification is concerned, we now need to publish aeronautical information to the world for them to know that the Murtala Mohammed Airport is now certified likewise NiMet,” Jallow said.

  • Aviation unions, FAAN workers protest concession of Lagos, Abuja airports

    Aviation unions, FAAN workers protest concession of Lagos, Abuja airports

    Aviation unions and workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Tuesday staged a protest to express their disapproval over plans by government to concession the Lagos and Abuja Airports.

    Scores of FAAN workers stormed the Freedom Square leading to the entrance of the authority’s headquarters to draw attention to what they described as illegal selling of the airports to people who are unknown to workers.

    The protest came just as there was a battle for supremacy among three aviation unions: Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).

    The friction was occasioned by alleged inadequate representation among the unions over who should spearhead the protest.

    Addressing workers, ATSSSAN National President, Comrade Illitrus Ahmadu said the workers were opposed to the concession of airports because the template is not clear to them and the parameters used by government.

    Ahmadu said the workers will use every instrument at their disposal to battle government to frustrate the concession of airports.

    He said the unions must be united to protect their collective interest of protecting their jobs.
    Also speaking, General Secretary of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Olayinka Abioye said the unions will mobilize to frustrate airports concession moves by government.

    He said government needs to engage the unions before government could consider the concession of the airports.

    Abioye said issues that will arise from the concession of the airports including job losses should be properly looked into.

    He said the minister of state, aviation, Hadi Sirika should demonstrate transparency on the concession of airports.

    He said FAAN has 64 legal cases over concessions that have not been resolved, yet government wants to go ahead to concession the airports.

    He vowed that despite approval by government, aviation unions will mobilize against the concession of airports.

    Abioye alleged that Sirika has not shown transparency in his handling of issues in the industry.

    He canvassed corporatization or commercialisations of FAAN, to form airport companies to bring about effective airport systems.

    He said the airports could only run effectively until officials of the ministry stop unbridled interference in the activities of aviation agencies.

  • NAMA promotes top management staff

    NAMA promotes top management staff

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has approved the appointment, promotion and redeployment of top management staff of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said the minister made the approval through a circular issued  on Monday.

    Akinkuotu explained that the appointments were aimed at ensuring increased efficiency and effectiveness in the agency.

    He said the repositioning  of NAMA was to enhance productivity and  ensure all projects and programmes were properly executed bearing in mind accountability and adherence to timelines.

    Akinkuotu said Mr Farouk Umar had been confirmed as substantive Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering Service.

    Also, Mr Gabriel Akpen was promoted from the rank of General Manager, Search and Rescue/Civil Military Coordination, to Director of Operations, he said.

    “The Directorates of Human Resources and Administration have equally been merged with former General Manager, Customer Services/Servicom, Mr Maira Bashir, taking over as Director of Human Resources and Administration.

    “In the same vein, Mr Umoh Aniefiok, formerly of the Finance and Accounts Department at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been redeployed to NAMA as Director of Finance and Accounts,’’ Akinkuotu said.

    He added that Mr Khalid Emele is to head the Public Affairs Department of the agency as General Manager.”

    Akinkuotu said that three new Deputy General Managers (DGMs) had been appointed to head some strategic units in the agency.

    They are Ms Kaosarat Fawehinmi, DGM, Project Management Office; Mr Bajie F. Abang, DGM, Security Unit; and Obioma Solomon, DGM, Industrial Relations and Discipline.

    Akinkuotu thanked all staff of the agency for their continued support and urged those promoted to ensure service excellence and efficiency within the system.

    He advised them to ensure compliance with all government directives, particularly the recent Executive Orders issued for smooth conduct of government business.

  • FG approves staff redeployment in NAMA

    FG approves staff redeployment in NAMA

    In a bid to ensure increased efficiency and effectiveness in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has approved the appointment, promotion and redeployment of the agency management staff.

    According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Farouk A. Umar was confirmed as substantive Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Service, while Mr. Gabriel Akpen who until now was the General Manager, Search and Rescue/Civil Military Co-ordination was elevated to Director of Operations.

    The Directorates of Human Resources and Administration had equally been merged with former General Manager, Customer Services/Servicom, Barr. Maira Bashir, taking over as Director of Human Resources and Administration.

    In the same vein, Mr. Umoh Aniefiok, formerly of the Finance and Accounts Department at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been redeployed to NAMA as Director of Finance and Accounts, while Mr. Khalid Udoh Emele will head the Public Affairs Department of the agency as General Manager.

    Also appointed are three Deputy General Managers to anchor some strategic units in the agency.

    They include Miss Kaosarat Fawehinmi, DGM, Project Management Office (PMO); Mr. Bajie F. Abang, DGM, Security Unit and Ohiomah  Solomon, DGM, Industrial Relations and Discipline.

    In a statement, the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said the postings were designed to “reposition and streamline NAMA towards enhanced productivity and ensure that all projects and programmes of the agency are properly executed for accountability and adherence to timelines.”

    Akinkuotu, who held a brief session with the management team, thanked all staff of the agency for their continued support.

    He also charged the new appointees to ensure excellence and efficiency within the system.

     

  • FG to deploy drones in aviation industry 

    FG to deploy drones in aviation industry 

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika on Monday said that the Federal Government will explore the good uses of drones in the Nigeria aviation industry.

    He made the remark at the end of closed door meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Olumuyiwa Benard Aliyu, was part of the delegation that met the Acting President on Nigeria’s hosting of symposium on remotely piloted aircraft system.

    Sirika said “Nigeria is going to benefit immensely through this symposium. They have created awareness and we will use the outcome of the symposium to regulate more efficiently the use of unmanned air vehicles.

    “We are not going to over regulate but for sure we will regulate so that we will remain safe and secure and then make the industry much more efficient.

    “We will tap from the good uses of drones. We have seen during the symposium on how we can use drones to send blood samples, to rescue someone with heart attack or to deliver pizza or to take aerial photograph and so on.These are some of the benefits of unmanned vehicles

    “We hope that by regulating we will eliminate the dangers. For example if one unmanned vehicle is capable of carrying loads, you could think of them carrying a kilogram or two of bomb, with GPS and remotely piloted from a bedroom it can go and be dropped somewhere.

    “At this symposium we will share ideas and come up with solutions on the good uses of the drones and of course over the bad uses,” he said.

    On the Acting President’s response, he said “He has one himself and has flying drones himself, he is very much conscious and aware and he gave us the support and guidance that we need. He even warned that we should not over regulate so that we will not send people away.”

    Aliyu thanked the Acting President at Nigeria is hosting the symposium.

    He said that he was also in the Villa to express appreciation tothe government for the investment and support that is givento aviation development in Nigeria, which is supporting development of aviation in Africa and globally.

    He said “For Nigeria being a very responsible member of ICAO, I am also here to express the support that I still intend to continue to provide in this aviation development and to urge government to put aviation as the corner stone of the national development.”

     

  • Stranded Pilgrims: Minister’s absence stalls probe

    Stranded Pilgrims: Minister’s absence stalls probe

    Efforts of the Hon. Nkiruika Onyejeocha headed House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to unravel the circumstances that led to the inability of Ethiopian Airlines to return pilgrims of the 2017 HAJJ programme met a brick wall yesterday.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who was pivotal to the hearing was absent Monday, causing the committee to adjourn the investigation till 10 am Tuesday

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Sabiu Zakari, who represented the Minister was told to convey the new date and time to the Minister

    The Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Muktar Usman and the representatives of Ethiopian Airlines present were told  to return today for the hearing proper.

    Recall that last week! the House of Representatives had mandated its committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines to appear before it and give reasons for the excessive delays in bringing back Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia

    The Green Chamber flayed the airline for the recent long delays and disrespectful behavior towards Nigerians and other nationals from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria by the Airlines and said flight delay compensation be paid to them according to global aviation rules.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Hon. Zakari Mohammed on complaints against Ethiopian Airlines.

    The lawmaker while moving the motion noted that Ethiopian Airlines due to the backlog and delays, have left over one thousand Nigerians stranded in Jeddah for over one week with most running out of funds to survive.

    The House also resolved that Ethiopian Airlines should apologize through two national dailies, to the affected passengers.

    Speaking yesterday, the chairman of the committee, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who read the House resolution to those present said the issue is serious and requires the presence of the Minister.

    “The resolution says we should invite the minister and now the minister is not here. I’ve discussed with the members of the committee and we have resolved that the meeting cannot move on because the minister is not here.

    “The permanent secretary should convey the decision to the minister that the meeting is serious because by Thursday we must revert back to the House. It’s not something we can decide without the authorities being here,” She said.

  • Nigeria set to host ICAO on RPAS

    Nigeria set to host ICAO on RPAS

    The Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) is set to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) symposium on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Abuja from July 17 to July 18.

    A brochure of the symposium obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday showed that the event had the theme “Remotely Piloted Aviation in Africa: sharing experiences and challenges”.

    The brochure also showed that the event would provide a unique opportunity for states, international organisations and stakeholders to share experiences in addressing RPAS operations across Africa and Indian Ocean.

    It added that the event would focus on challenges to be overcome and benefits to be obtained, identifying how existing rules needed to evolve to facilitate the entrance of RPAS community into the civil aviation system.

    The symposium, according to the brochure, will also examine alignment between ongoing RPAS development and support regulatory provisions.

    “The symposium will also showcase the opportunities that will be created by the integration of RPAS into the global civil aviation system.

    “It will increase awareness of states, regulators and airspace users of the importance of adapting the existing regulatory framework to the needs of a fast growing new member of the aviation community.

    “It will also increase awareness on the capabilities of RPAS technologies and the impact of those new capabilities on civil aviation activities showcased through panel discussions and exhibitions.

    “International aviation as a whole will be incentivised to make the best possible use of the new tools created to support the integration of RPAS.”

    Mr James Odaudu, the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, said the event was a measure of confidence in the current administration in the management of the nation’s aviation industry.

    Odaudu added that the decision of ICAO to hold its symposium in Nigeria was also an endorsement of the policies and programmes of the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika in the sector.

    He expressed confidence that the programme would bring additional value to the nation’s aviation sector.

    He said “this is a very important aviation event that ICAO is holding in Nigeria in recent years and it is a measure of confidence in the current administration in aviation sector.”

    ICAO is a UN specialised agency established by states in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and Nigeria is one of the 191 member states.