The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo’s contributions to Nigeria’s 71.04 per cent audit rating by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Mr Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, made the commendation before journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.
Achimugu said that Nigeria scored 71.04 per cent in the ICAO-conducted Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA).
He said that Keyamo (SAN) and the Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, played huge roles during the recently-concluded ICAO’s USAP-CMA in the country’s aviation industry.
He said that Keyamo and Najomo were pivoted to the ICAO’s rating due to their leadership skills and mobilisation of human and material resources to ensure that all gaps were closed.
The NCAA spokesman described as mischievous, comments in some quarters that the minister and Najomo were responsible for alleged poor ratings Nigeria had.
“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).
“At the same time, the writer blames the minister for “intervening” in security and safety issues. He needs to decide if he wants the minister to be involved or not,” he said.
Achimugu said that both Keyamo and Najomo came into office months ago and swang into action immediately to improve infrastructure and workers’ remuneration.
“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 D-G, NCAA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% in the audit.
“Going by what was on 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 a part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries,” he said.
According to Achimugu, ICAO auditors praised Nigeria’s performance during their final briefing at the NCAA and mentioned that they had complained about an absent infinfrastructure.
According to him, the auditors eventually said that they were pleasantly surprised that the infrastructure was made available the following day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ICAO had in March conducted the USAP-CMA for the Abuja and Lagos airports. (NAN)
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