The Federal Government has assured the Government of Uganda that it would do everything possible to ensure that air connectivity between both countries becomes a reality.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika gave the assurance when he led a delegation to Uganda to hold talks with his counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport of Uganda, General Edward Kamala, according to a statement by his Special Assistant, Dr. James Odaudu on Thursday.
The meeting focused on the review of the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries, which was signed in 2002 and reviewed in 2005.
It also focused on how to give the necessary administrative and technical support to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed during the last International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) Event which held in Abuja from 5th to 9th December, 2022.
Gen. Kamala, during the meeting, reiterated his Country’s quest for the operation of direct flight into Nigeria using its national carrier, the Uganda Airlines.
He also sought technical cooperation and collaboration between the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), located in Soroti, Ugandan. Equally, the Ugandan Aeronautical Authorities also solicited technical support from Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In his response, Senator Sirika expressed his appreciation to his Ugandan counterpart for providing the atmosphere to host the meeting and acknowledged the roles played by the High Commissioner of Uganda to Nigeria and the Nigeria-Uganda Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines of Agriculture in facilitating the meeting.
He underscored the importance of air transportation, which he said remains the major veritable means of connecting the people of Africa and enhancing trade.
He stated that air transportation will do well in Africa with her population of over 1.37 Billion and urged African Nations to leverage the opportunity of Single Africa Air Transport Market ( SAATM) to attain the 2065 Africa Agenda.
He promised positive responses to the requests made by the government of Uganda.
In conclusion, he lauded the excellent relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari, and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as both leaders are united in ensuring that Africa and her people are prosperous and united on all fronts of human capital development.
On the Honourable Minister’s entourage were officials of Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority which included Director, Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation, Hassan Ejibunu; Sule Liman, Legal Adviser, Ministry of Aviation; Engr. Elisha Bahago, Director, Operations, Licensing, Training & Standards, NCAA; Capt. Chris Najomo, Director, Air Transport Regulations, NCAA; and Shehu Dogo, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Aviation on Inter-Agency Relations.
