Nigeria has emerged the president, Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a Western Africa Sub -Africa Organization with 7 Member States ready for greater air security and regulations for safer skies.
Speaking in the 4th Council of Ministers at the meeting of 18 ongoing bags on Thursday in Abuja, the former immediate president of the Banjul Accord Group, who is also the Minister of Transportation and Aviation of Sierra Leone, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay praised the role that Nigeria has played in the improvement of air safety between the states of the Stock Exchange and the subregion in general.
He explained that “by reflecting on the activities of the Stock Exchange, the Banjul Banjul Security Supervision Organization.
“The resilience, innovation and unity that characterized our collective efforts have really been commendable. In the name of their excellence, the president and the government of Sierra Leone, I want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Exchange Agreement and the sustainable realization of a single transport market of Africa (SAATM) within our region.”
“This commitment was clearly demonstrated during the SAATM Pilot implementation project housed in FREETOWN from July 29 to 30, 2024. The event culminated in the issuance of a statement that asks for accelerated actions by implementing the Yamoussoukro decision, particularly through the group's multilateral air service agreement.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Sierra Leone safety and safety preparation are 71 and 72% respectively, following an Universal Security Audit Audit Program of Carlos and Universal Security in 2023.
“These achievements are the result of the dedication and diligence of my ministry and the civil aviation authority and the valuable support of the interested parties in the Member States of the Stock Exchange.”
Turay also said that “flying from Sierra Leone to Nigeria, Oa Liberia, for example, is a 45 -minute flight; flying to Gambia is approximately two hours. But sometimes, or most of the time, you can end up spending the day before reaching these destinations.
“Therefore, we must enter and support each other, and we must also try to have established policies that encourage companies or airlines to fly to our countries,” he said.
The minister also pointed out that “we, as a founding member, remain deeply committed to the values ​​and objectives of the group. We continue to play a main role when currently serving as president of the Permanent Committee, president of the Technical Committee of Bagasoo on Finance and Administration, and President of the Committee of high levels on the institutionalization of the Secretariat of Bolsa, which demonstrates our commitment to the success of the organization.
“Therefore, I feel honored to deliver the presidency of the Council of Ministers to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and my brother, the honorable Minister Festus Keyamo.
“This transition comes at a crucial moment as we work to finish the institutionalization of the Secretariat of the Stock Exchange and the domestication of air services throughout our region,” Turay said
While responding, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo expressed Nigeria's commitment to guarantee the instrumentality of improved air transport connectivity between the Member States of the Stock Exchange.
He said that Nigeria, as a member of the Stock Exchange since its inception, has continued making valuable contributions to the work of the Secretariat and its activities, including support for the ideals and aspirations of the Stock Exchange and the achievement of its strategic objectives, in collaboration with other Member States.
“Nigeria's civil aviation policy focuses on liberalization and public initiative-partnerships.
Keyamo said that “Nigeria is totally committed to working with the Member States and supporting the implementation of the objectives of the Banjul Accord group formed in 1997 for the acceleration and implementation of the Yamoussoukro statement and to promote cooperation through the states in the areas of safety security, air navigation and air transport, etc., etc.
*In view of the current achievement by bag this multilateral instruments, The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (Bagasoo) and The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (Bagaia) In The Areas of Aviation Safety, Security and Economic Development As I mention The Opening Ceremony, Bag States Should Be prepared to Take More Concerted Efforts For More Investments in the provision of infrastructure and facilities for safe, Secure, Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Civil Aviation.
“I want to reiterate that Nigeria will continue to maintain the support provided to the subregion to attract investments, tourism and continuous growth,” he said.
Also speaking before delivery, the Minister of Tourism and Transportation of Cape Verde, José Luis Sa Nogueirs said that his country had full support from the African air transport market (SAATM).
He said: “We support Saatm's need as a means to ensure that we can develop connectivity for the African market,” he said.
Five ministers under the Member States of the Banjul Accord Group attended the meeting, and also attended a former Aviation Minister in Nigeria, Mallam Isah Yuguda.