The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have signed a landmark deal to signal a gradual movement towards unified civil aviation regulation in Africa.
As part of the agreement, the two aviation agencies will exchange best practises in safety and security and reduce regulations to encourage smooth aircraft operations between the two nations.
At yesterday’s African Aviation Summit and Exhibition in Abuja, the agreement was inked. Capt. Musa Nuhu, Director General of NCAA, signed on behalf of Nigeria, and Poppy Khoza, Director of SACAA, signed on behalf of South Africa. The ministers from both nations were present to witness the signing.
According to Nuhu, the deal is unique as it will enhance regulatory harmonisation between Nigeria and South Africa, as well as boost flight operations between the two countries to almost be like domestic flights.
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The NCAA DG is one of the firm promoters of single aviation regulatory regime in Africa as experienced in Europe with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). He believes that a single regulatory regime in Africa will unlock opportunities in aviation and enhance the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project launched in January 2018 to give fresh impetus to the goal of liberalising air transport across Africa and to fully implement the Yamoussoukro Decision.
Khoza, on his part, said: ‘This is a technical cooperation agreement which is very technical in nature. We will be exchanging on aviation safety and security in particular.’
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed excitement over the deal.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that Keyamo had earlier unveiled three roadmaps for the Nigerian aviation industry.
This is as he apologised to foreign airlines over the trapped funds which has caused a crisis in the sector in Nigeria for almost two years.
Speaking at the 7th Aviation Summit, holding in Abuja, on Wednesday, Keyamo mentioned aerotropolis, maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities and aircraft leasing company as some of the priorities of the current administration.