The federal government of Nigeria has called for the urgent need to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for the benefit of the sub-region and the entire African continent, noting that it will reduce the high cost of air ticket in the region.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who called for the accelerated implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market among the African countries who have signed the agreement, said air connectivity is an asset, which improves the global competitiveness of cities, states and regions thus Africa cannot be left behind.
Keyamo made the call during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Session of The Banjul Accord Group (BAG) of States, which began in Abuja on Monday.
According to the minister: “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. As most of you are aware, air connectivity is an asset, which improves the global competitiveness of cities, States and regions. Increased air connectivity brings concrete value by making trips shorter with optimal user satisfaction at minimum prices.
“It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make movement of passengers and cargo smooth with minimum transit points at competitive prices. Achieving these require 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.”
In his welcome address, Nigeria’s Director-General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, said the 18th Plenary Session serves as an opportunity to not only reflect on our collective achievements, but also renew member-countries’ focus on the challenges ahead.
He listed some of the challenges to include infrastructure gaps, personnel shortages, emerging safety risks and the imperative for digital transformation in aviation.
The DG noted that BAG continues to serve as a beacon of sub-regional cooperation, and it is inspiring to witness the progress made together in ensuring a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible air transport sector in line with the “No Country Left Behind” initiative by ICAO.
The DGCA noted that, “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 more needed to be done to unlock the potential of the subregion.
Nigerian Senate Committee chairman on Aviation, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, represented by Senator Augustine Akobundu, said the National Assembly was committed to the ideas of BAG and supports harmonised West African aviation community.
The three-day Plenary Session, and the council of ministers meeting, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), witnessed participation of the seven member-countries of the BAG. The states include Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, The Gambia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.
LEADERSHIP reports that SAATM represents the vision of achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the immense potential of seamless air connectivity across our continent.
