President Bola Tinubu has cancelled the proposed merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
This is according to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who said the decision to not go through with the plan, followed careful consideration of the recommendations of the Steve Oronsanye Report.
The minister who disclosed this at an event to mark the 25th-anniversary of the NCAA said the decision was in furtherance of efforts to develop the aviation sector.
“From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.
“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.”
The minister further described NCAA as a resilient institution, saying, “NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCAA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.”
Referencing the Oronsanye Report, which had suggested merging the NCAA and NAMA, he recalled how the proposal was ultimately dropped by the federal government after careful consideration.
He said, “The Oronsanye report also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.
“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So, the Oronsanye report came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.”
