Sirika Tasks AfCFTA On Challenges Affecting Implementation Of Yamoussoukro Decision

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has called on the
Nigeria’s National Action Committee on the implementation of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFT) to look at outstanding
issues concerning implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), the
Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the proposed
African Union Passport among others.

The minister made the call during the committee’s first
implementation engagement series held to gather stakeholders in the
aviation sector to have a feel of what is expected of the local
aviation community.

It was agreed at the gathering that there were a myriad of
considerations to actualize the expected impact of the continental
initiative (AfCFTA).

Speaking at the event, Sirika said the whole essence of civil
aviation was to facilitate fast and create efficiency in journeys
“as we advocate for the strengthening of AFCAC (African Civil
Aviation Commission) to harmonize civil aviation regulations for
aviation service providers in order to actualize the Yamoussoukro
Decision and SAATM which is the flagship project for the African
Union Agenda 2063 to enforce appropriate rules and regulations to
give fair and equal opportunities to all stakeholders and promote
fair competition.

“We also advocate for special support for aviation industry
specifically, to fast track systems upgrade in Lagos, Abuja, Kano,
Port Harcourt and Enugu with a view to matching international best
standards. In our own modest way in Nigeria, we have developed
these five airports. We have completed Abuja, Port Harcourt and put
to use, Kano is completed and will be put to use in March, Lagos
will be put to use in the same March and Enugu in due course.”

He commended the National Action Committee for trying to
sensitise all sectors for the implementation of AFCFTA while
describing aviation as elitist sector and a myth.

His words: “Civil Aviation is for all. It connects markets and
businesses, nations and nations, cultures and cultures, history and
traditions, schools and children etc. If SAATM is implemented, it
means there will be more access to civil aviation, there will be
more connectivity and that would bring down prices and make civil
aviation affordable. Implementation of SAATM means aviation will be
for all of us.”

Some of the objectives of AfCFTA, is to create a single market,
deepen economic integration within the continent and minimize
dependence on non-African trades and services. Also to resolve the
challenge of multiple and overlapping membership to achieve a
sustainable and increase socio-economic transformation within
member states and enhance competitiveness of member states within
Africa and in the global market.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has called on the
Nigeria’s National Action Committee on the implementation of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFT) to look at outstanding
issues concerning implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), the
Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the proposed
African Union Passport among others.

The minister made the call during the committee’s first
implementation engagement series held to gather stakeholders in the
aviation sector to have a feel of what is expected of the local
aviation community.

It was agreed at the gathering that there were a myriad of
considerations to actualize the expected impact of the continental
initiative (AfCFTA).

Speaking at the event, Sirika said the whole essence of civil
aviation was to facilitate fast and create efficiency in journeys
“as we advocate for the strengthening of AFCAC (African Civil
Aviation Commission) to harmonize civil aviation regulations for
aviation service providers in order to actualize the Yamoussoukro
Decision and SAATM which is the flagship project for the African
Union Agenda 2063 to enforce appropriate rules and regulations to
give fair and equal opportunities to all stakeholders and promote
fair competition.

“We also advocate for special support for aviation industry
specifically, to fast track systems upgrade in Lagos, Abuja, Kano,
Port Harcourt and Enugu with a view to matching international best
standards. In our own modest way in Nigeria, we have developed
these five airports. We have completed Abuja, Port Harcourt and put
to use, Kano is completed and will be put to use in March, Lagos
will be put to use in the same March and Enugu in due course.”

He commended the National Action Committee for trying to
sensitise all sectors for the implementation of AFCFTA while
describing aviation as elitist sector and a myth.

His words: “Civil Aviation is for all. It connects markets and
businesses, nations and nations, cultures and cultures, history and
traditions, schools and children etc. If SAATM is implemented, it
means there will be more access to civil aviation, there will be
more connectivity and that would bring down prices and make civil
aviation affordable. Implementation of SAATM means aviation will be
for all of us.”

Some of the objectives of AfCFTA, is to create a single market,
deepen economic integration within the continent and minimize
dependence on non-African trades and services. Also to resolve the
challenge of multiple and overlapping membership to achieve a
sustainable and increase socio-economic transformation within
member states and enhance competitiveness of member states within
Africa and in the global market.