The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace said, it has taken proactive measures to put and end the problem of aviation fuel contamination in the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole who made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, said, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the civil aviation Regulator in Nigeria have received definite instructions on what to do.
Meribole, who paid an advocacy visit to his counterpart at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, said the NCAA was already collaborating with the Agencies in the Petroleum Sector and Airline Operators to nip the problem in the bud.
He stated that the issue has gone international as the International Airlines Transport Association (IATA) has stepped into it due to the complaint received from the Airlines operating in Nigeria.
He further informed his host that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Chicago Convention of 1944, must abide by the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in ICAO Annex 19 which are intended to assist States in managing aviation safety risks.
Also, ICAO Annex 19 supports the continued evolution of a proactive strategy to improve safety performance which the advocacy visit intends to achieve.
Meribole stated that it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to ensure that the necessary safety measures were put in place to prevent mishap in the air, thereby making flight to be safe for passengers and cargoes.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Aduda thanked Dr. Meribole for the visit which he said was meant to ensure Nigeria fulfilled its international obligations with respect to safety and security of flight in line with the Chicago Convention and its relevant Annexes.
Aduda while underscoring the importance of Aviation to the economic development of a nation, said everything must be done to ensure that the value chain in the importation and supply of Jet A1 to the airlines was not compromised.
He said the visit would enable both ministries collaborate to forestall the problem of Jet A1 contamination.
According to Aduda, if the problem is not nipped in the bud,it could affect the country’s image before the international community. Adding that, foreign airlines may no longer refuel in Nigeria, thereby dwindling the resources that could accrue to the country.
As a result, he suggested an expanded meeting between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, to include the relevant stakeholders in the value chain supply of Jet A1 and the end users in the aviation sector to discuss the issue within the shortest possible time.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace was accompanied to the meeting by top officials of the Ministry which included, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, Director, Air Transport Management, Engr. Clement Awogbami, Director, Aerodrome Standards, and the Head of Press and Public affairs, Oluseyi Odutayo.
