In a bid to further enhance safety and security in the civil aviation industry in Nigeria, the agencies in the sector are set to sign a Civil – Military Memorandum of Cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
A statement signed by the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Musa Nuhu and made available to journalists, said that the memorandum of cooperation would formalise, deepen, and strengthen the existing relationship between the two sectors.
Nuhu who led other Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of aviation agencies to the headquarters of NAF in Abuja on Monday, noted that the collaboration between civil and military would lead also to the enhancement of airspace security and safety.
The CEOs present during the courtesy visit to the NAF headquarters, included the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Odunowo; Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed.
Speaking at the courtesy visit, the DGCA who recalled the existing collaborations between civil aviation and the military in the country, appealed to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar to continue in that trajectory.
He emphasised that when the pact is eventually signed, it would become a landmark development between the civil aviation and the Nigerian Air Force.
He said: “We are here today in preparatory to signing of the Civil – Military Memorandum of Cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). It is pertinent for us to work together for the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
“The continuous safety and security of the industry and the country’s airspace is very pertinent for the economic growth of Nigeria. Also, it will enable the country to retain its Category One Status. We need to keep working together as one.”
In his response, the Chief of Air Staff who welcomed the CEOs to his office promised that the Service would continue to work with civil aviation authorities in the country.
According to him, the idea of the memorandum was long overdue, reiterating that it would formalise the existing areas of cooperation.
Apart from the memorandum, several other areas of cooperation at the highest level were discussed during the meeting.
Some key officers of Nigerian Air force also participated in the meeting.
The highlight of the visit was the exchange of souvenirs between the two groups.
