Disquiet in aviation industry as Sirika directs relocation of FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, AIB, NiMET, others to Abuja
There is currently tension in Nigeria’s aviation industry following a directive issued by the Minster of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, requesting the relocation of all corporate headquarters of agencies and parastatals under it to the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), in Abuja, in the next 45 days.
The development, which came as a surprise to many industry experts, is a reenactment of the botched Presidential Directive issued in 2012.
With this directive, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) are expected to relocate within the given time frame.
In a letter dated 4th May, 2020, from the Ministry FMA/PMD/7061/T/4 signed on behalf of the Minister of Aviation by the director, Human Resource Management Muhammad Shehu, hinged the decision on the current global economic situation and the need to reduce the cost of governance.
The letter titled: ‘Relocation of Aviation Agencies to Abuja’ reads, “ I am directed to remind you of a Presidential directive issued in 2012 requesting all agencies under the Ministry of Aviation to relocate their corporate headquarters to the Federal Capital Territory ( Abuja ) for efficient and effective coordination and enhanced service delivery and note that eight (8) years after the directive, the agencies are yet to comply.
“Accordingly, considering the current situation and the economic impact worldwide as well as the need to reduce the cost of governance and manage scarce resources in a sustainable way, it has become imperative and further to the Minister’s directive (Copy attached) to request that you facilitate and complete the relocation of your corporate headquarters within the next forty five (45) days in line with this earlier directive.”
An endorsed copy received by FAAN’s Laison Office in Abuja on May 06, 2020 directed all directors to coordinate effective mobilisation to achieve the directive on time on its meeting agenda for the week after.
