The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated that leadership skills and dexterity in mobilising manpower and resources by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. .Festus Keyamo and the Acting Director General Nigerian Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo to ensure all open items were closed gave Nigeria 71.04 per cent in the just conducted ICAO Audit.
This is just as the regulatory body said that Nigeria would have scored 30 per cent in the final outcome if not for these personalities.
This was disclosed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu.
He reaffirmed the doggedness and painstaking efforts of the Minister and the NCAA Acting Director General during the recently concluded International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conducted Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) in the country’s aviation industry.
He described as mischievous comments by commentators that both the Minister and DG, CAA were responsible for the allegedly poor ratings the country achieved, arguing that both came into office barely months ago and went to work immediately to improve on the deteriorating infrastructures and poor remunerations of workers they met on ground.
“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 Honourable Minister and the DGCA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% 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,” Achimugu said.
He said that the ICAO auditors praised Nigeria’s performance during their final briefing at the NCAA.
The spokesman added that ICAO Auditors cited a scenario where they complained about unavailability of infrastructure but that to their pleasant surprise, it had been made available the very next day, adding that
only Nigeria moves at such a pace in the face of criticism.
“We have actual Intel about a 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,” he added.
He assured that the Minister and NCAA will do everything to sanitise the aviation industry, adding that,” We are working and it is evident.”
Continuing, Achimugu said, “It is ironic that the writer blames the ‘failure’ of the security audit on the Honourable 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. He needs to decide if he wants the Minister to be involved or not.”
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