The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the incessant flight delays and cancellations in the country.
The upper legislative chamber also invited the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airline operators to a session aimed at finding lasting solutions to the problem.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari during Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.
In his presentation, Buhari said a series of reports from both the print and electronic media showed incessant delays and cancellations of flights by airline operators in the country.
He said: “This development is worrisome, as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable and quicker means of transportation often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep to other scheduled appointments which are usually time bound.”
The lawmaker noted that unwarranted flight delays and cancellations would be counter-productive to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
He said the quests for economic diversification and foreign direct investments, which were part of the current administration’s policy thrust would remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry fell short of global best practices.
Buhari added: “Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023 makes provisions for consumer protection in the Civil Aviation industry in Nigeria.”
“However, enforcement has been an issue, as most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delays.”
“That’s why there’s the need for NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities.”
In his contributions, the Senate Minority Whip, Abba Moro, recalled his experience with the Nigerian airlines in the past.
“I think that it is high time we took a very stern stance on some of these issues because it throws up the problem of our regulatory agencies,” he stated.
