21st December, 2012
Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent
A group of Nigerian aviation analysts under the aegis of Aviation Round Table, ART, on Thursday questioned the use of military aircraft by civilians, saying the fate of such civilians in the event of an accident is unclear.
ART at a press conference in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, argued that civilians killed in military aircraft die a ‘cheap’ death as there is no provision for their insurance and entitlements.
“In the event of civilian casualties in a military aircraft, what becomes the fate of such civilians in terms of insurance and entitlements?” ART queried in a press conference statement jointly signed by its President Captain Dele Ore and Secretary General, Sam Akerele.
The analysts said that the conditions for eligibility of civilians in military aircraft remain unclear as well.
ART was referring to the death in a military aircraft last Sunday in Bayelsa State of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa. He was buried in his hometown of Fadan-Kagoma yesterday.
NCAA also kicked against the idea of a national carrier, saying that it is “archaic and not in consonance with best practices worldwide.”
The Senate Committee on Aviation had recommended in their report that Arik Air must be used as a provisional National Carrier but many stakeholders have kicked against the idea, saying Arik was heavily indebted to banks and government and the Central Bank had halted further loans to the airline.
“National Carrier of most countries collapsed due to global events and lack of resources by their owners,” ART said, adding that Nigeria should not repeat another costly mistake by creating a new National Carrier being secretly put together.
ART said that a National Carrier, which is threatened with instability, interference, insincerity due to ‘selfish interest’, always turns investment into colossal loss.
“The present steps will finally result into yet more future national debt,” ART said.
The analysts also called on foreign airlines operating in the country and making huge profits to invest in the country’s aviation sector, saying their investment has remained insignificant when compared to the profit margin.
ART suggested that foreign airlines invest part of their huge profits into airport terminal development, hotel, catering and hospitality as well as airport shuttle and ground handling services.
“They can invest in the banking and insurance companies, airport fire services and in domestic airlines,” said Sam Akerele, who read the prepared statement.
ART called on the Ministry of Aviation to hold meeting with the Board of Airline Representatives, BAR, to develop new areas of cooperation and investments in 2013.
“The aviation sector in Nigeria is once again at a crossroads with infrastructures, and virtually all aspects still in dismal (conditions) even with the current efforts,” ART said.
ART called on the authorities to focus on manpower development, saying that the dearth of local manpower in the aviation industry is alarming.
“There is need to provide Aviation Training Facilities such as more flying schools, Aviation Training Organisation, ATO, to cope with the ageing manpower and dwindling technical skills,” ART said