The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, has dismissed criticisms aimed at Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following Nigeria’s recent aviation ratings by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
[Ad]
The ICAO’s Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) rated Nigeria at 71.04 per cent, sparking criticism from some aviation experts.
Public affairs analyst, Iliyasu Gadu, criticised the minister, noting a drop from an all-time high score of 96.03 per cent in 2015 to 71.04 per cent in the latest audit and that “this precipitous 25 per cent drop in the ratings is bound to raise serious concerns among stakeholders in the aviation sector with severe consequences for this critical sector of the nation’s economy.”
But on Tuesday, Achimugu slammed Gadu, pointing out that without the leadership of Keyamo and Acting Director General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, Nigeria’s score could have been as low as 30 percent.
He labelled the comments blaming Keyamo and Najomo for the ratings as mischievous.
He said that both Keyamo and Najomo, who assumed office only a few months ago, have been actively working to address deteriorating infrastructure and improve worker conditions since their arrival.
READ ALSO: Keyamo should stop meddling in air transport operations, regulations
Achimugu said, “Six months ago, we met a dilapidated industry with poor infrastructure. The security and safety issues did not start in the last six months. Had it not been for the tireless efforts of the Honourable Minister and the DGCA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% in the audit.
“Going by what was on the ground when Keyamo and Najomo assumed office, the current score is a substantially good showing, a miracle if I must say. The narrative being pushed out is just part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries who have just one task.”
Achimugu further stressed that the ICAO auditors commended Nigeria’s performance during their final briefing, noting instances where infrastructure issues were resolved rapidly.
He criticised detractors, describing them as “paid mercenaries” with an agenda to remove Keyamo and Najomo from office.
He claimed there is a media campaign aimed at creating chaos to displace Keyamo, suggesting that some individuals want to regain control of lucrative contracts previously allocated to themselves and their associates while neglecting essential infrastructure.
The director explained, “We have actual Intel about a media team being commissioned to cause continuous chaos until Keyamo is either removed or moved elsewhere because certain people want to take back ownership of the contracts they were busy allocating themselves and family members while critical infrastructure was growing dilapidated.
“Keyamo did not become one of the starboys of this administration by doing nothing. He spent his first six months unbundling the rot in the system. Sadly, the rot runs so deep that six months are not enough to scratch the surface.
“They know this and it is why they are relentless in their fight. But the Minister and the NCAA will do everything to sanitise aviation. We are working and it is evident.” The NCAA image maker further stated.
