- To this end, the senate has summon the concerned authorities and key stakeholders in the aviation sector for questioning on the the worrisome situation
The disturbing trend of incessant flight delays and cancellations in Nigeria has become a major source of concern to government, prompting the national assembly to weigh in on the issue.
To this end, the senate has summon the concerned authorities and key stakeholders in the aviation sector for questioning on the the worrisome situation.
Among those summoned by the Senate are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo; Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo; airline operators and other relevant stakeholders.
The summon on Wednesday followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) during plenary.
The Red Chamber specifically directed its Committee on Aviation to get to the root of the matter on the cause of the incessant flight delays and cancellations with a view to find a lasting solutions to the problem.
About 2,000 air passengers lost 19,274 pieces of luggage between January and June this year, according to data from the Federal, according to a Punch report.
The report stated that data obtained from the half-year report of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, an agency of the Federal Government that regulates civil aviation, further indicated that 19,250 passengers were delayed for long hours during the review period.
Senator Buhari, while presenting the motion, said the problem which he noted had been on the increase in recent times, is all over the media.
“This development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable, and quicker means of transportation, often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep other scheduled appointments, which are usually time-bo,” he said.
Therefore, he cautioned that “unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.”
The lawmaker noted that as part of efforts to address the unethical and unwholesome practices of the practitioners in the àviation sector, the NCAA is statutory empowered through the enactment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, to among other things, provide oversight and guidelines aimed at ensuring that airlines operate within the contemplation of international standards in Nigeria and to ensure that airline customers get value for the services paid for.
Buhari pointed out that “the quest for economic diversification and foreign direct investment, which are parts of the current administration’s policy thrust, will remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry falls short of the acceptable best practices across the globe.”
“Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023, makes provisions for consumer protection in the civil aviation industry in Nigeria.”
He added, “However, enforcement has been an issue as most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delay, hence the need for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities.”
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