The All Progressives Congress (APC) Legacy Awareness and Campaign (APC -LAC), a voluntary think-tank group, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration saying it is pursuing a revolution aimed at transforming the aviation sector .
The group stressed that the revolution which began in 2016 is geared towards enhancing the safety, infrastructure and economic viability of the sector through a well thought out roadmap.
A statement signed on behalf of the group by Ismail Ahmed, APC Youth Wing leader and DG PGF Salisu Lukman, also explained that the concession process for the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airports were ongoing, with completion of the process scheduled for 2022.
They listed the major plank of the Roadmap to include the Establishment of a National Carrier, Development of Agro-Allied/Cargo Terminals, and Concession of the Major International Airports,
Other legs of revolution, the group claimed in a statement, including the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Center, the establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company, Development of Aerotropolis (Airport Cities), the establishment of an Aerospace University, Designation of 4 International Airports as Special Economic Zones, Upgrade of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
The group pointed out that following the launch of the Aviation Roadmap, the Aviation ministry has focused on the implementation of infrastructural renewal in some of the terminals with the completion of the new Terminals of the Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano International Airports, inherited from the previous administration while the new Lagos Terminal is very close to completion.
“A Brand new Runway has been constructed at the Abuja and Enugu International Airports, in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
More than a dozen airports around the country have had Low-Level Windshear Alert Systems (LLWAS) installed, to improve flight safety. Investigations revealed that the Sosoliso and ADC plane crashes of 2005 and 2006 respectively were caused by the absence of LLWAS in the airports.
“The Lagos and Abuja Airports have had the Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) installed – which provides the capability for landing safely and accurately in conditions of near-zero visibility. Another 3 Nigerian Airports have been scheduled to benefit this year”.
“Under President Buhari’s watch, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) has acquired several new training aircraft and has been recognised globally by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Among other things the NCAT now has a brand new Boeing 737 Full Flight Simulator, as well as a fully automated Fire and Smoke Aircraft Training Simulator, which now means that Nigerian personnel no longer have to be sent to Cameroon for training on tackling aircraft fires and smoke.