The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said it will strengthen collaboration with airlines, operators and other aviation stakeholders in the South-South to also ensure seamless airline operations in the zone.
The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Chris Najomo, said this in his address at the inauguration of the Port Harcourt Regional Office Building at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday.
Najomo said the new facility which came to realisation after 22 years in the offing underscores the authority’s resolve to decentralise operations and bring services closer to stakeholders and enhance the flow of communication and operations within the zone.
He stated, “I’m so happy because this is coming to reality after 22 years. This occasion marks another milestone in our commitment to advancing aviation safety, security and service delivery in Nigeria.
“Port Harcourt, the treasure of Nigeria’s oil and gas, has always played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of our great nation. Its strategic importance as a hub for energy, commerce and tourism necessitates the establishment of world-class infrastructure to support our aviation sector.
“The new facility embodies our resolve to decentralize operations and bring services closer to stakeholders, ensuring a seamless flow of communication and operations within this vital region.”
The acting NCAA DG added, “With this office, we aim to enhance oversight, improve response times, and strengthen collaboration with airlines, operators and other aviation stakeholders in the South-South region.
“We are not merely inaugurating a building, we are laying the foundation for enhanced operational excellence. This transformative structure will serve as a beacon of our dedication to fostering safety and compliance while providing a conducive environment for our staff to perform their duties efficiently and productively.”
He lauded all those who contributed to the project; including contractors, the local contractors and the NCAA staff whose dedication and professionalism made the project possible.
Najomo solicited the support of all stakeholders to continue to work with the NCAA in shaping the future of aviation in Nigeria, saying, “Together, we will soar higher and make our skies safer and more efficient for all users.”
He disclosed that a similar facility would be ready for commissioning in a fortnight or less in Kano State, saying the authority took up the challenge of the buildings in Rivers and Kano at the time after years of abandonment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the NCAA Regional Manager, Titus Oladipo said, “You all know this project started over 20 years ago and was looking like it was never going to be achieved. Different management sat on it and left.”
Oladipo noted that as a regulatory body in the Aviation industry, part of the things needed to restore staff confidence is a properly equipped office complex with all necessary facilities.
He added, “Oftentimes, our staff and colleagues have gone on inspections and they were taunted by the operators reminding us of how we needed to close certain open items, obviously referring to our office space.
“This in itself had a way of making the authority lose its attraction. We must say the entire region is indeed so grateful for this singular achievement of the management team and are confident that they will indeed achieve more set goals in the nearest future.”
