Demuren charges government on aviation infrastructure development

A former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Olusegun Harold Demuren has stated the need for commitment by both Federal and state governments towards aviation infrastructure development.

Speaking at the 2017 conference of the Aviation Round Table (ART) on the topic: ‘Nigerian Aviation Infrastructure : Development and Challenges’, Demuren insisted that commitment to infrastructure development in the sector would enhance connectivity,  expand passenger and cargo markets,  create more competitive fare structures,  increase destination for travelers and help boost socio-economic activities.

His words: “The prosperity of any nation is determined by investments in infrastructure, especially in aviation and transportation. However, these investments must be done in a transparent manner which will attract more investors.”

Demuren lamented how some of the concession agreements entered into by  government and private investors to address the infrastructural gap in the aviation sector had only led to unresolved disputes.

The former director-general used the occasion to advise the government to support Nigeria’s airlines through enactment of favourable policies and access to financial loans to acquire modern aircraft to compete with global airlines.

Also speaking at the event, a former managing director at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Richard Aisubeogun called for the establishment of a national hangar for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of aircraft in the country for the  purpose of easing the burden of airline operators.

This is just as he emphasized the need for airports in the country to be upgraded to meet international standards and subsequently make the country an aviation hub.

On his part, Nick Fadugba, an international expert on aircraft financing and leasing,  advised domestic airlines to enter into strategic partnership to enable them to capture a lion share of the Nigerian market which was currently being exploited by foreign airlines.

“There is no country in Africa that has the economic potential of Nigeria. Every airline comes to Nigeria and makes money but our airlines are not making money and it really worries me. No Nigerian airline has been able to fill the vacuum created by the liquidation of the Nigeria Airways”, Fadugba declared.