Experts say that for the Nigerian economy to be saved from going under, no card must be placed under the table.
In search for solutions, stakeholders in the aviation sector are seriously considering the fully implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
There are indications that the Nigeria’s aviation industry will experience 5.1% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) yearly if the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is fully implemented.
The Secretary-General, AFCAC, Olufunke Adeyemi, made this known yesterday in Abuja at the ongoing SAATM Pilot Implementation project workshop (Cluster 1 Coalition Roadshow).
She said going by aviation traffic as a function of GDP, passenger volume to and from Nigeria is predicted to grow at 3.3% yearly.
Jobs Associated With Airline Operations
She, however, said the full implementation of SAATM could increase that to 5.1%.
Quoting a report on SAATM by Embraer in 2020 and using the traffic forecast and economic impact estimates from ICAO, it is estimated that by 2038, the aviation industry in Nigeria could generate up to 800,000 jobs, with 60,000 of the jobs directly associated with airline operations.
According to her, the industry could contribute $1.3billion to the GDP, with the number rising to an impressive $7.2 billion when indirect effects of tourism are taken into account.
She said: “We are here today to engage with our Nigerian stakeholders to see how we can intensify efforts to implement practical strategies and concrete actions to address the challenges preventing the achievement of the projected growth.
“We will also share ideas to boost the development of air links to and from Nigeria, promote tourism, trade and investment development, especially through improvements in the regulatory framework, infrastructure investment as well as operational incentives for airlines to create a competitive environment for aviation business to thrive.
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“As we move towards accelerating the full implementation of SAATM, what is expected of us as major stakeholders are to join hands in the implementation of SAATM”.
Easy Connectivity
She encouraged all Nigerian-eligible airlines to take advantage of SAATM and expand their operations across Africa.
“We should also invest in infrastructure to ensure safe, secure, efficient, sustainable and competitive operational environments that promote easy connectivity, business growth and job creation across the African continent,” she said.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the Federal Government will continue to support policies and programmes that promote the full implementation of SAATM in Nigeria.
She was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole.
Sirika while stating the importance of SAATM in supporting the growth of the air transport market in sub-Saharan Africa, noted that while the market is growing in Southern and Eastern Africa, there are still major challenges to be addressed in other regions.
A Stagnating Region
He said: “African carriers dominating international and domestic markets which are becoming increasingly concentrated.
“In contrast, in central and western Africa, the sector is stagnating, with the vacuum created by the collapse of mostly state-owned airlines and a few privately owned airlines in the region.
“Nigeria is working towards launching its own national carrier that would help in actualising the policies and principles of SAATM in Nigeria and Africa at large”.
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The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, said air connectivity was an asset, which could improve the global competitiveness of cities, States and regions.
Also, he said that increased air connectivity would bring concrete value by making trips shorter with optimal user satisfaction at minimum prices.
Nuhu said: “It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make the movement of passengers and cargo smooth, with minimum transit points at competitive prices.
“Achieving these require our collective resolve not only to implement SAATM but also to make conscious efforts to address the issues of non-physical barriers including the high cost of travel within the region”.
