It is indeed, my honour and privilege on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, first and foremost extend to you all, very warm greetings and felicitations from our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also let me join other delegations to congratulate the President of the 38th Assembly, Mr. Michel Wachenheim.
We are gathered here to reflect on the developments that have taken place in our industry and to seek new ways of improving civil aviation beyond the next triennial. These new Strategies should make air transportation more safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly as well as ensure the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry globally.
In this regard, the recent ICAO high level conferences on air navigation, air transport and aviation security have made far reaching recommendations. Nigeria supports the endorsement by this Assembly of the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) as well as recommended Civil Aviation Security Strategies. Nigeria also believes that there is need to streamline ICAO policies regarding the protection of consumer interests. I also wish to seize this opportunity to commend the ICAO Council for the adoption of the new Annex 19 on Safety Management.
Distinguished delegates, it gladdens my heart to inform you all that Nigeria has remained totally committed to ICAO initiatives and collaborative efforts in achieving safety, security and environmentally friendly air transportation. This, we have demonstrated through the hosting and continuous support of our Regional Safety Oversight Organization, the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) located in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City.
Similarly, Nigeria hosted in 2012 the African Ministerial Conference on Aviation Safety that adopted the landmark Abuja Declaration on Aviation Safety and also adopted far reaching Safety Targets. I wish to reassure you that Nigeria is determined to continue to champion the advancement of civil aviation in the African region through collaborative efforts amongst member States. Furthermore, Nigeria also wishes to express her commitment and continuous support for the comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan).
At this point, I wish to commend African States and the African Civil Aviation Commission for their renewed and vigorous dedication towards the attainment of safety of the African skies and the development of Air Transportation in our Continent.
7. Mr President, Nigeria under the regime of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR embarked on the transformation of its aviation industry focusing on the rehabilitation, upgrade and development of aviation infrastructure; improving aviation Safety and Security; creating enabling environment for growth of airlines and other service providers as well as protecting the interest of aviation end-users. Towards this end, the Civil Aviation Policy was reviewed and a comprehensive Master Plan was developed to reform institutions; transform key airports into a network of domestic and international hubs; develop airport cities, (Aerotropolis); among others.
8.I am very delighted to inform you that the Transformation Agenda is yielding positive results. This coupled with the liberalisation policy of the Government, has led to significant increase in the operations of foreign and domestic airlines and utilisation of our airports, resulting in an annual traffic growth of over ten percent (10%) in the last three (3) years. In order to accommodate this and future growth, the Nigerian Government embarked simultaneously on the construction of five (5) new international passenger and fourteen (14) perishable cargo airport terminals. The effort of Government is to make air travel the preferred mode of transportation especially with a population of over 150Million and a large land mass.
9.In the area of Safety, Nigeria has continued to work towards sustaining the success achieved in the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s International Aviation Safety Assessment Category 1 Rating, through re-engineered Civil Aviation Authority conferred with the requisite powers and autonomy to properly regulate the sector.
10.With regard to aviation security; I am happy to inform this august Assembly that the on-going remodelling of our airports has provided us an opportunity to improve our security infrastructure through the installation of State of the art security equipment. I want to reassure you that Nigeria will continue to implement its National Aviation Security Programme and provide continuous up-to-date training to its Aviation Security Personnel. We will also continue to participate in the ICAO Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD), and support ICAO’s efforts to provide assistance to other West African States in their programmes to introduce e-passport.
11.I wish to use this opportunity to commend ICAO and Member States for the adoption of Resolution A37-19 at the last Assembly in 2010. This achievement demonstrates to the world the uniqueness of our industry and our ability to put aside our differences for the common good and sustainable development of air transportation. I therefore wish to appeal that this same spirit should be demonstrated in our deliberations during this Assembly in order to achieve a “Win-Win” situation.
12.Nigeria will continue to cooperate and collaborate with member States to come up with Resolutions that will support the implementation of measures that will reduce aircraft engine emissions without negatively impacting on the growth of air transportation industry, particularly in the developing and emerging economies. We have continued to pursue a policy of fleet renewal and use of newer and more efficient aircraft by Nigerian operators. Additionally, we have implemented measures to enhance the efficiency of air traffic management including Performance Based Navigation (PBN).
13.Distinguished colleagues, Nigeria is indeed privileged to have been a member of the ICAO Council since 1962, and we truly cherish the opportunity to collaborate with other member States to advance the work of the Organization for greater efficiency and effectiveness in line with ICAO’s strategic objectives. In the same vein, Nigeria wishes to use this opportunity to solicit the support of ICAO member States for her re-election into Part 2 of the ICAO Council. In addition, Nigeria also humbly requests your support for the election and re-election of those African States that have been endorsed by AFCAC to the ICAO Council.
14. Nigeria is also delighted to refer to the Candidature of Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu for the post of the President of the ICAO Council in the next Council election. I wish to thank the African States for the endorsement of his candidature by the African Union (AU) We solicit and thank ICAO member States for their support of his candidature.
15.Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, I want to specially congratulate and thank the President of the ICAO Council, Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, for his invaluable services to the organisation. I wish to also thank the Secretary General and the ICAO Secretariat for a well organized 38th Session of the ICAO Assembly. I also wish to express our profound gratitude and thanks to the government and people of Canada for the kind hospitality accorded us since our arrival in this beautiful city of Montreal.
16.I wish us all a most successful deliberation. I thank you for your kind attention and God bless.
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