Experts Seek Corporate Governance Compliance in Aviation Sector

Aviation experts have called for strict adherence to corporate governance in the industry, insisting it is a key to the development and growth of the sector. The experts also called for the increase of the number of aircraft owned by an airline from the existing minimum two aircraft to 20.

This was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the conference organised by Aviation Round Table (ART), a think-tank group in the industry.

According to the communiqué, “There should be a culture of corporate governance and transparency in the business of managing the aviation sector, such that government and other parties in infrastructure-related commercial agreements in the industry should respect the terms of such agreements if the industry is to move forward.”

The body therefore, recommended that the existing concession/agreements that have developed into controversies affecting the entire industry should be resolved immediately in the interest of the sector, taking cognisance of initial capital invested by the businessmen who brazed the odds to commit their for the development of airport infrastructure and services.

The body also urged for end of political interference in the sector’s regulatory activities and noted that there is a need for the establishment of an inter-governmental agency, Stakeholder Group led by the regulator for the administration and management of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) funds and for implementing aviation development plans.

“Bilateral Air Service Agreements, Multilateral Air Service Agreements (MASAs) and International Routes are the nation’s infrastructure and assets, while air traffic rights are like oil blocks and therefore, should not be treated with levity in administration or by unilateral exploitation.

Therefore, BASA funds should be used for criticalsafety infrastructure development as provided for in the Civil Aviation Act 2006.

“There is also a need to have surveillance cameras in and around every airport in Nigeria to be complimented with the establishment of Aviation Industry Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team (CERT) to enhance aviation security. Additionally, we need to enhance the airport perimeter fences where there are no security fences to sufficiently comply with Annex 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.”