ICAO President charges aviation agencies on capacity building

The President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Dr. Bernard Aliu has stressed the need for aviation agencies in the country to imbibe the development of human capacity building.

Speaking while addressing union members from Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE and heads of aviation parastatals in Abuja, Dr Aliu said there was need for constant training as technology was developing.

According to Aliu, with all the facilities and navigational aids in place without a trained workforce, there will be no development stressing that human capacity development must be the key word. ” Training, training, training  is the word in aviation and new technology must be handled by trained personnel in order to remain in business”

The ICAO President explained that with double traffic projection in passenger and aircraft movements in 2030 globally, there was need to strengthen security and safety across the globe adding that the industry must be ready for the growth.

Aliu warned that doubling of traffic and passengers movement should not be doubling of accidents.

The ICAO President assured Nigerians that the country’s aviation will not be left behind adding that every open item will be closed for better results.

He commended the unions for the industrial harmony existing between them and management of parastatals saying it will foster development of the industry.

Earlier, the president of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu said it was pride and honour to have a Nigerian as the president of ICAO.

Okewu explained that with Aliu’s position, that Nigeria has been rightly placed in the World map saying he has been collaborating with them at the International Transport Federation ITF.

Okewu expressed optimism that Nigeria will scale through at the just concluded ICAO audit adding that Nigeria though not occupying it’s rightful position, but will soon attain it’s position.

The general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE,  Olayinka Abioye on his part, said aviation family in Nigeria will support the second bid of Aliu as ICAO President.

Abioye noted that since he became the ICAO President, that there have been significant changes in the sector especially with the review of various acts setting up agencies.