New Minister To Review Aviation Projects

By Chuks Okoh
The new Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has said that he intends to review existing projects in the industry and prioritise them with the view creating a safety and security in the industry.
Also,he said that government was not politicising the Ebola issue and all hands are on deck to root out the scourge and make the country safer.
Chidoka made this known Tuesday in Lagos after a meeting with stakeholders consisting of the various unions in the industry and the media.
According to the minister who took questions from several reporters, he did not have all the answers and that was why he was meeting stakeholders to get solutions to the myriads of problems facing the industry.
Issues raised ranged from remodelling completion, national carrier, merger of parastatals, support for domestic airlines growth among a host of others.
Chidoka did not tackle the questions raised but stated that he would do so in coming weeks as his intention was to use empirical data and facts through solutions proffered, to improve the sector in his stay.
He spoke on the need ,” to ensure security of our airports’ infrastructure and to ensure customer convenience in the use of the airport.”
” Our engagement with the stakeholders have led to the affirmation that the aviation master plan is a document to be built on, our engagement with the key unions have shown that the industry is aligned in making sure that the aviation master plan and the road map remains a defining document in charting our way forward.”
The Minister talked extensively on the scourging Ebola virus stating that it is not being politicised and called for caution in tackling the scourge.
“I assumed office at a time that the world is faced with a great challenge, the challenge of the Ebola Virus, so part of the visit to Lagos yesterday was to review the medical procedure that has been put in place at the airport, the screening of passengers coming in and leaving Lagos and to reassure all Nigerians that we are doing our best within our ability to make our airports safe from the virus .”
“You can agree with me that the testing so far has been useful, you may also agree with me that the proactive manner with which Mr. President has reacted to the issue of Ebola virus highlighting it and making it of national paramount important and coming out to make sure that the country does not go back in the fight against that virus has shown a path way for all of us, so that is why we decided to go to the airport yesterday to interact at the airport and to reassure Nigerians of the government commitment to keep our airports safe and to make sure that it is not a transit point for the transmission of the Ebola virus.”
” Ebola virus is not a political issue, it is not an issue for passing the bulk, it is an issue against humanity, it is an issue that we should all rise up and fight, it is an issue we should all show restraint and also compassion for those that have been infected with this illness especially members of the medical team are everyday exposed to people with this virus.”