The President, Society of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers(SLAMEN), Engr.Haladu Muhammad,has stated that the country’s air travel safety record and other achievements are enough reasons to celebrate.
The SLAMEN President asserted that presently Nigeria’s air travel safety record is not only very high but also impressive compared to some years ago when there were air crashes
According to him, “Another thing is that if you look at the safety record of Nigeria aviation, it is very very high. So,it is worth celebrating. Of course there is rooms for improvement. Honestly, it is worth celebrating because we are celebrating efficiency and performance.”
Muhammad, who is also the Director of Continuing Airworthiness, Max Air, said this in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA), Lagos yesterday, while responding to a question whether there is anything to celebrate on Nigeria’s aviation at 100.
“To be honest with you, we have something to celebrate. Today, we have a lot of young people who have shown interest in aviation. Aviation has plays a key role in the development of the economy of Nigeria. Transportation is part of communication because you move from point A to point B and aviation has participated in re-energising the economy .
“Let me give you a very good example. As a result of the current security situation in the country, many people now travel by air. Look at the percentage of the people that were flying 30 years ago and compare it to the percentage of the number of people travelling by air today, you will discover that a significant number of people travel by air,” he asserted.
This, he said helps and improves the economy, adding that the aviation sector has played a key role in adding positively to the Nigerian economy.
Speaking further, the SLAMEN boss noted that the Nigerian aviation industry has also provided employment for a lot of people, especially young people.
“You can see that a lot of young people are now interested in aviation.Before now not many people want to come into aviation possibly because of the high cost of training.. Also, there is a new government policy of students loan whereby today people can take loan go and train themselves and come and join aviation business.
“For me I have been given on the job training to thousands of people in the last five years.and before now , this was not happening. There is a lot to celebrate .”
Speaking on the short life circle of Nigerian airlines, Muhammad said that one of the reasons for the short life span of Nigeria’s airlines can be attributed to the economy.
He argued that a situation where airline operator buys aircraft, spare parts, carry out maintenance, pay for it in foreign currency and buy aviation fuel at an exorbitant price further strangulate the operator and shorten the airline’s life span
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