House of Representatives is to review laws establishing the Nigerian Aviation Sector to enhance it’s capacity in commercial and economic development of the nation.
Speaker of the House Mr Femi Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open a 3-day Public hearing on bills for the amendment of the Civil Aviation laws in Abuja.
Mr Femi Gbajabiamila explained that the Public hearing was part of the 9th Assembly’s legislative reform agenda in collaboration with the executive taking into cognizance the yearnings of people and the positive impact it would bring to Nigerians.
He said, the amendment will further ensure an extensive development of the nation’s Aviation Industry to conform with the current International Civil Aviation Organisation Standard and recommended Practices.
The Speaker however, urged the participants to take the advantage of the public hearing in offering constructive and significant contributions on the bills to make the Aviation sector one of the best in the African continent.
In a remark, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, confirmed that the amendment will apart from removing powers from service provider agencies also bring the respective Acts up to date and facilitate the upgrade of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology to Degree awarding institution.
Senator Sirika, who lauded the effort of the House towards supporting the sector, expressed optimism that the amendment will help reposition the Avition industry to perform effectively.
Earlier, the Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, said the repeal and re-enactment of the enabling Acts was to meet the contemporary demands and international Standard for the general development of the Aviation Sector.
The agencies to be affected by the amendment Acts are, Nigerian Meteorology Agency NIMET, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology Zaria, NCAT, Nigerian Air Space Management Agency NAMA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Federal Air Port Authority of Nigeria FAAN and the Accident Investigation Bureau.
SALIHU TSIBIRI