Nigeria was rated high in the last International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP – CMA) on account of efforts by the Federal Government to proactively ramp measures aimed at improving aviation systems, processes and procedures , the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said yesterday.
If not for such efforts, the civil aviation authority said the country would have slipped to a ridiculous 30 per cent grading while efforts are ongoing to close identified gaps in the 71.04 per cent score it pulled.
Speaking in an interview, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu attributed Nigeria’s good outing during the ICAO audit to the painstaking efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) and the Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Capt Chris Najomo.
He affirmed that the leadership provided by the duo on insisting the right steps being taken pushed Nigeria to its rating.
He said if not for their leadership skills and dexterity in mobilizing manpower and resources to ensure all open gaps were closed, Nigeria would have scored 30 percent in the final outcome.
The NCAA spokesman described as mischievous comments by industry watchers that both the Minister and DG, CAA were responsible for the supposed fair rating of the country.
Though ICAO sets 75 per cent as commendable feat for its audit of countries, Achimugu said ratings at such audits is work in progress achieved affirming that, Keyamo and Najomo asumed duties as Minister and acting director general of the CAA barely months ago and started work immediately to improve on the deteriorating infrastructures and poor remuneration of workers they met on ground.
Achimugu said: “Six months ago, we met a dilapidated industry with poor infrastructure. The security and safety issues did not start in the last six months. Had it not been for the tireless efforts of the Minister and the DGCA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30 per cent in the audit.
“Going by what was on the ground when Keyamo and Najomo assumed office, the current score is a substantially good showing, a miracle if I must say. The narrative being pushed out is just part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries who have just one task.”
“The ICAO auditors praised our performance during their final briefing at the NCAA. They even mentioned a scenario where they complained about an absent infrastructure but, to their pleasant surprise, it had been made available the very next day! They said that only Nigeria moves at such a pace in the face of criticism. If the ICAO experts were pleased, who are these puff -puff experts trying to deceive the people?”
Speaking further, the Director said: “We have actual Intelligence about an alleged media team being commissioned to cause continuous chaos until Keyamo is either removed or moved elsewhere because certain people want to take back ownership of the contracts they were busy allocating themselves and family members while critical infrastructure was growing dilapidated.
“We will resist every attempt to deceive the Nigerian people. Keyamo did not become one of the starboys of this administration by doing nothing. He spent his first six months unbundling the rot in the system. Sadly, the rot runs so deep that six months are not enough to scratch the surface.
“They know this and it is why they are relentless in their fight. But the Minister and this NCAA will do everything to sanitize aviation. We are working and it is evident.
“It is ironic that some reports blame the ‘failure’ of the security audit on the Minister, meaning that the Minister should have intervened and done whatever was necessary to score higher.
“But also blames the Minister for “intervening” in security and safety issues. Promoters of such reports need to decide if he wants the Minister to be involved or not.”
Keyamo replied to critics embarking on a smear campaign intended to water down efforts at repositioning the aviation sector as mandated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Keyamo said a certain former minister has allegedly engaged some hirelings, using sponsored reports in a section of the media to resist current efforts at restoring the culture of sanity, efficiency and accountability in the aviation sector, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr Tunde Moshood, Keyamo said a certain Iliyasu Gadu has been churning out reports that misrepresent the strides of the minister since assumption of duties.
He said: “This coordinated attack is clearly driven by their total discomfort over the Minister’s commendable performance and focus on key issues in that sector which has confounded even his fiercest critics. So, we know where Iliyasu Gadu is coming from.
“Of course, the push-back by the reactionary forces should be expected. Beneficiaries of the old, decadent order will hardly ever give up old privileges without a fight. In the last few weeks, these forces have been complaining about Keyamo’s alleged ‘interference’ in what they see as ‘regulatory issues on safety’. Apparently pained by the wide applause that has greeted the Minister’s bold initiatives these disgruntled elements decided to generate a laughable and warped ‘fact-check’ on the stated achievements with a view to discrediting them. “In the latest baseless criticism, Iliyasu Gadu referred to Mr. Keyamo as ‘embattled’. Haba! Who could be more embattled than his paymaster who has been running from pillar to post to clear himself of barrage of corruption charges, ineptitude during his tenure and fraudulent projects he embarked upon?
“The Minister has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic acumen, earning him accolades and admiration from members of the public. Any attempt to discredit him, particularly by a former Minister whose reputation is already tarnished, is not only baseless but also a desperate bid to deflect from his own failures.”
On the payment of a backlog of funds owed foreign carriers, Keyamo said his diplomatic engagements have been pivotal in resolving the matter that almost paralysed the aviation sector.
“His efforts, both domestically and internationally, underscore his commitment to the sector’s growth and stability. It was clear that he worked closely with the CBN to highlight the importance of prioritising his sector and the CBN heeded his passionate plea and responded. So, the question is: if the CBN itself has not disputed his claims, who are these faceless fellows disputing his claim?
“The baseless attacks orchestrated by Iliyasu Gadu and his cohorts are a feeble attempt to malign Keyamo. It is clearly the voice of Esau and the hand of Jacob. Such efforts will not deter the Minister from his mission to enhance the aviation sector and deliver on his mandate. The public is encouraged to see through these unfounded allegations and recognize the significant strides being made under Minister Keyamo’s leadership.
“We advise Iliyasu and his gang of “influencers” that Mr. Keyamo is an old war-horse in various battles for many decades now and they are very much welcome to this one.”
