General News
IATA Calls for African Connectivity Framework, Infrastructure Dev.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for governments, safety regulators and industry to take action to drive aviation connectivity and infrastructure development in Africa for the economic and social development of the continent.
“Africa is set to be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions over the next 20 years, with annual expansion averaging nearly 5%. This opens up incredible economic opportunities for Africa. But aviation faces considerable challenges, and for its potential to be realized, correct policies must be developed. Smarter regulation, and a focus on delivering the safety and connectivity commitments of the African Union, will be crucial to establishing Africa as a global aviation powerhouse,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.
Tyler made his remarks at the IATA Africa and Middle East Aviation Day in Nairobi, Kenya. The event is bringing together key stakeholders under the theme ‘Connecting Africa’ focusing on the development of frameworks to promote connectivity in regulations, commerce, and operations.
In his speech, Tyler identified key challenges needing to be addressed: Safety – “Safety must always be our first priority. Africa experienced zero jet hull losses in 2014, an excellent result.
The all-aircraft accident rate, however, remains considerably higher than the global average.
The Abuja Declaration commitments by African governments must be followed up with action to increase compliance with ICAO standards.”
IATA is moving forward with assistance for airlines that are eligible for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).
For airlines ineligible for IOSA, a new IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) has been developed.
Smarter Regulation
“African nations have an opportunity to enact smarter regulation to enable better aviation connectivity. Implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision will open up air routes within the continent and provide opportunities for more than 5 million additional passengers a year. Those African governments yet to ratify the Montreal Convention 99 and Montreal Protocol 14 treaties, on global standard airline liability and the treatment of unruly passengers respectively, should do so without delay.”
Infrastructure
The provision of appropriate infrastructure, offering the right capacity at the right price, is essential for the growth of sustainable air services across Africa.
“The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has very clear guidelines on infrastructure funding—and Africa has an opportunity to be a leader in this field by developing its infrastructure in close consultation with the industry.”
Environment
“The industry is committed to meeting its carbon emissions targets. In particular, our goal of carbon-neutral growth from 2020 is of utmost priority.
“The negotiations for a global market-based measure to tackle carbon emissions from aircraft are entering a crucial phase ahead of the 2016 ICAO Assembly. It is vital that African governments support a workable solution, in order for a measure to be in place in time for the industry’s 2020 goal of carbon-neutral growth.”
The opening session of the Aviation Day featured participation from senior government and industry leaders including John Kipngetich Mosonik, Kenya’s Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure & Transport; Dzifa Attivor, the Minister of Transport for Ghana; Barry Kashambo, Regional Director Eastern and Southern Africa, ICAO; Elijah Chingosho, Secretary General of AFRAA; and Gilbert Kibe, Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
NNPC Ready to Go to Capital Market for IPO- CFIO
Again, Labour Fumes, Threatens Shutdown of Telcos over Non-Implementation of 15 Percent Tariff Reduction
FG Launches Online Visa Approval Centre
Court Fixes May 8 for Judgment in MultiChoice, FCCPC Dispute over Price Hike
NITDA Partners JICA to Launch Nigeria-Japan Startup Hub
E-Business3 days agoFG Plans to Link Social Register to NIN for Humanitarian Crisis
Broadcasting3 days agoWe’re Confident in the Super Eagles – Karl Toriola
Telecom3 days agoKeystone Bank Seeks to Join Suit in Tussle over 9Mobile Shares Ownership
E-Financial3 days agoFG to Harmonise Fiscal Data Across MDAs
E-Business3 days agoFive WhatsApp Business Features Every Small Business Should Be Using
News3 days agoSenate Probes Federal Character Violations by NDIC, Others
E-Financial3 days agoZumax Files N4.1Bn Suit against CBN over ‘Fraudulent’ Receivership
News2 days agoCourt Throws Out Falana’s Fraud Case against Ekeh, Zinox Boss and Others