Unions, workers celebrate NCAA DG’s one year in office

STILL basking in the positivity of progressive implementation of policies propelling the sector towards seamless and more rewarding air transport, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) through its Acting Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, has continued with the same zeal in the new year.

Some key players and the workers in the regulatory body, who cited how the projects executed by the acting DG in 2024 positively impacted air travels, expressed optimism in the ability and management style of Najomo to further reposition the NCAA towards providing standard aviation safety oversight functions  for the subsequent transformation of Nigerian air transport sector in the new year.

In 2024, the NCAA under Najomo carried out some historic projects aimed at giving air travelers better experience through the services provided by the airlines with focus on flight cancellations, delays, payment of refunds to passengers on any botched flights.

In his determination to provide the traveling public the needed value for their money through satisfactory services from the airlines, Najomo had in 2024 created a portal where passengers can channel their complaints and get results amidst the incessant flight delays and cancellations.

Amongst the customers/passengers’ centric programs introduced by Najomo in the outgone year the new portal tagged the Centralised Passenger Information Portal (CPIP) aimed at providing additional layer of protection for air travel consumers.

The centralised information portal was preceded by the earlier unveiling of consumer protection portal to tackle the constant complaints from air travelers over incessant flight delays and cancellations of flights by airlines.

The customer’s eccentric programmers were followed by the roadshows held across the airports through the directorate of consumer protection of the NCAA to enlighten passengers on their rights, responsibilities roadshow at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Many of the stakeholders including the unions, professional bodies and workers of the agency, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune unanimously agreed that for the acting DG to be able to achieve these in his one year in office, he deserves to be confirmed as a substantive DG in the new year.

According to the supporters of the NCAA DG, if allowed to continue the works he has started, airlines will be better equipped to serve passengers and there will be less disruption of flights.

One of the senior workers, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune under anonymity declared: “In the most recent future and it won’t be long, the aviation industry will acknowledge that it owes this man a debt of gratitude. The ease of doing business without compromising standards mantra that he has executed in the NCAA in just once year as Acting Director-General has caused immeasurable impact.

“I am an apostle of praising people while they are still alive to enjoy applause for their good work. I celebrate the milestones he has achieved, and the courage with which he has taken on the challenges which he inherited.”

“It does not matter how the future plays out, Najomo  already proved his mettle. He has automated most of our processes. The flight data center is huge step in preventing accidents and collating data. The Consumer Protection Department owes its rejuvenation to your support and vision.

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“The Directorate of Air Transport (DATR) portal is a loud statement about your intentions, as has been your ability to pay workers what was unjustly owed them for years, despite budget provisions and approvals. You historically signed the IDERA and cut down the alleged corruption of inspections by allowing aircraft to be inspected in Nigeria. The NCAA in particular, and the aviation industry in general, owe you flowers for ensuring that Nigeria achieved an admirable score in the last audit.

“As more aircraft come into Nigeria, airlines will be better equipped to serve passengers and there will be less disruptions. I know how strategically you have been trying to fix the issues that cause high airfares. There is so much I could say, but I will stop here for now.”