NIGERIA TO HOST THE THIRD WORLD AVIATION FORUM (IWAF) IN NOVEMBER

The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hardi Sirika said that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has approved the hosting of the third International World Aviation Forum (IWAF).

Senator Sirika announced this to the audience on Thursday when he inaugurated eleven man taskforce to address regulatory issues and charges at the airports.

He enumerated the immense benefits and investment opportunities the forum will attract and urged the aviation stakeholders to come prepared.

The inauguration of the taskforce was to keep to the directive by the then Acting President, to inaugurate a committee to tackle issues raised by the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Yemi Osinbajo .

The membership of the task force comprises of; Minister of State for Aviation as Chairman; Special Adviser to the President on Economic matters; Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN); Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA).

Others are; Capt. Bogie Maggison, nominee of the Association of Airline Operators; Mr. Allen Onyema, nominee of the Association of Airline Operators; Alh. Kashim Shettima, nominee of the Association of Airline Operators; Capt. Mohammed Joji, nominee of the Association of Airline Operators; Department of Air Transport Management, FMOT; and International Air Transport Association (IATA)- Representative.

The mandate of the taskforce is to; Look into the payment of multiple charges by the operators; Look into the State of infrastructure at the Airports and to look into negotiation of Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA).

In a delightful mood, the minister said “This government takes every single assignment very serious. It is our intention to give the best of service as well as a conducive atmosphere and environment. We have been trained to do that”. He urged the members to be thorough on the assignment so the issues raised could be addressed properly.

Senator Sirika disclosed during the inauguration, that Nigeria is privileged to be the first country to host the International World Aviation Forum (IWAF) which holds from November 20-22, 2017.

The theme of the forum will be, “Financing Aviation Infrastructure in Africa”. Over 58 ministers from all over the world will be in attendance