Aviation minister calls for greater air transport connectivity in Africa

The Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, on Sunday called for greater air transport connectivity across the continent.

According to a statement made available to aviation correspondents in Lagos, Sirika made the call at the 10th African Air Transport Safety and Security Summit held in Accra, Ghana

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Yamoussoukro Decision was formally adopted during the Assembly of Heads of State held in Lomé, Togo, in July 2000.

The objective of the Yamoussoukro Decision was defined under Article 2, Scope of Application, as the gradual liberalisation of scheduled and non scheduled intra-African air transport services.

The statement stated the connectivity would play a critical role in the development of African economy which could be achieved by implementing Abuja declaration.

According to the statement, Abuja declaration set a target for African airlines to reach world class safety levels by 2015.

It stated that connectivity was vital for African growth and development, adding that it supported about 6.9 million jobs and $80.5 billion in economic activity.

It added that this would knit relationship with seamless connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.

It stated that Sirika was represented in the summit by Capt. Taba Alkali, Director of Safety in the ministry, who traced the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria to be several decades.

The statement stated that the relationship led to the exchange of knowledge and friendship through many bilateral partnerships such as in personnel training, expertise and information sharing.

The statement that the minister commended Ghanaian Ministry of Transport and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for allowing the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision between both countries.

It quoted the minister as saying that "significant progress has been made in the Abuja declaration with airlines meeting deadline."

It added that there was need for synergy between government regulators and operators to ensure that goals were achieved.

It also called for improved airport infrastructure, upgrade of facilities and training of personnel to boost aviation services in the continent