The Federal Government has called for the speedy implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) among the African countries that have signed the agreement.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who made the call in Abuja yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), said its implementation was critical.
He explained that its implementation would make passenger and cargo movement easy and reduce airfares in the region.
He noted that despite Africa’s strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow.
The plenary session and the Council of Ministers meeting, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), witnessed the participation of the seven member countries of the BAG.
The States include Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.
Keyamo, speaking on the need for the implementation of SAATM, said: “I want to highlight the urgent need to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for the benefit of our sub-region and the entire African continent. As we all know, SAATM represents a bold and visionary step toward achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the immense potential of air connectivity across our continent.
You will agree with me that despite our strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow, and fragmentation remains a barrier to our regional integration.”
He also noted that air connectivity is an asset that improves the global competitiveness of cities, states and regions; thus, Africa cannot be left behind.
“It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make the movement of passengers and cargo smooth with minimum transit points at competitive prices. Achieving these requires our collective resolve not only to implement SAATM but also to make conscious efforts to address the issues of non-physical barriers, including the high cost of travel within the region,” he said.
He urged member states to move beyond commitments and take coordinated, deliberate steps toward making SAATM a living reality. Our skies must no longer be defined by closed borders but by open opportunities.”
Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said the session serves as an opportunity for member countries to renew focus on the challenges ahead.
Some of the challenges faced by members include infrastructure gaps, personnel shortages, emerging safety risks and the imperative for digital transformation in aviation.
Najomo while noting that BAG continues to serve as a beacon of sub-regional cooperation, commended the progress made in ensuring a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible air transport sector in line with the “No Country Left Behind” initiative by ICAO.
Capt Najomo said: “Nigeria, being a driving force in the sub-regional group, remains steadfast in its fervent support for the laudable objectives of BAG and is committed to playing an active and constructive role in seeing to the realization of such air transport sector in West Africa and beyond.”
The Head of the BAG Secretariat, Fansu Bojang, who is also the Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said a lot needs to be done to unlock the potentials of the subregion.
As a group, we have furthered the dreams of the founding fathers of BAG and, through the process, pulled the industry out of the hole we once found ourselves in and placed it on the pedestal.
He charged member states to work to surmount identified challenges in the region.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai, who was represented by Sen. Augustine Akobundu, said the National Assembly is committed to the ideas of BAG and supports harmonised West African aviation community.
“Nigeria recognizes the importance of regional cooperation in advancing aviation safety, security and development. We acknowledge the role of BAG in promoting capacity building shared standards, and technical assistance among member states” he said.
He also called for policy harmonisation, adding that the NASS is committed to an enhanced regulatory framework for safety and security, improved safety oversights, strategic interests in aviation infrastructure, regional cooperation and harmonisation of policies.
SOURCE: THENATION
