Keyamo At Stakeholders Engagement In Lagos, Promises Local Economic Growth, Workers Rights
LAGOS – Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has reaffirmed his commitment towards strengthening the Nigerian aviation sector through strategic policies that prioritise local economic growth, workers’ rights and infrastructural development.
A statement by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, said that Keyamo gave the assurance over the weekend at the Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum held in Lagos.
The statement hinted that the minister emphasised the need for foreign airlines to patronise indigenous caterers, reiterating his stance that compliance would be a key determinant in approving airline schedules.
“I have said it before, and I am saying it again—foreign airlines should patronise indigenous caterers. Otherwise, I will not sign the summer schedule,” he said.
Also, Keyamo directed Capt. Chris Najomo, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) to commence immediate engagement with airlines to ensure compliance with this directive.
During the engagement, the Minister addressed concerns raised by aviation workers’ unions regarding airlines restricting union activities within their organisations.
He therefore directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to open discussions with airlines to allow union members to exercise their rights within the workplace.
Furthermore, the minister assured union representatives that they would be actively involved in discussions concerning the concession of airports, stressing transparency in the process.
He also promised to instruct his Special Assistant on Public-Private Partnerships (SA PPP) to engage union leaders and keep them updated on the concession plans.
Keyamo also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has finalised plans for the reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, alongside potential concessions for some smaller airports to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
The event was attended by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, along with key aviation agency heads, including Najomo; Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and representative of Engr. Farouk Umar, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. John Tayo, Director of Air Travel Services.
Others are Mustapha Sheik Abdullahi, Registrar, African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) and directors across aviation agencies.
