EXISTING AVIATION ROADMAP SACROSANCT- Barr. Festus Keyamo
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L-R: Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Spokesperson, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Barr. Festus Keyamo, Aviation and Aerospace Minister, Barr. Allen Onyema, Vice President, AON, at the reception for the Minister after he was sworn-in
Barrister Festus Keyamo, the newly sworn-in Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has pledged that he will give prime attention to the Aviation Roadmap conceived in 2016 and run with it for the progress of the industry. The same roadmap was adopted by the last administration at the ministry.
He made this known in his maiden speech as the aviation minister at a reception in Abuja, saying he had personally read through the entire roadmap as enunciated in the official document and was pleased with it.
Keyamo enthused that he liked what he found in the roadmap and added that his perception will not preclude areas to be found falling short after another careful reexamination to be conducted for appropriate adjustment, so as to make the formwork to be congruent with the desired goal.
The erudite solicitor and social crusader said, “I have read the roadmap, the one developed in 2016, I read it thoroughly, our intention is not to disrupt things that have been done so well, if there are things that have not been done so well we will look at it thoroughly”, he promised.
The new Aviation and Aerospace Minister disclosed that his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not a mistake, but to deliver on a mission to place critical sectors of the national economy such as air transportation in the global reckoning and for social and economic benefits to the nation and the citizenry.
Hence, he added that in the light of such a clear mission, the need for adjustment and readjustment may not be ruled out because, “our intention is not to disrupt things that have been done so well, if there are things that have not been done so well we will look at it thoroughly”, the minister said.
Keyamo further said in plain terms, “We may have to add to the roadmap but not pull it down totally because, I know it was a product of a roundtable held in 2016, so if it was well thought out, I like the structure that I saw.”
He however announced loud and clear to the staff of the ministry and guests present at the reception which include the Vice President of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Barrister Allen Onyema, (Founder Air Peace), and AON Spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Founder of United Nigeria Airline, that his watchword is transparency.
The Minister said he will give more attention to those simple issues that have made air travel a nightmare for Nigerians. Issues such as delay, cancellation, and lack of comfort at some facilities and safety will remain as ever, on the front burner, Keyamo announced.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, while welcoming the new minister to office, pledged his loyalty, and that of all the staff of the ministry and their cooperation towards the realization of the minister’s mandate.
Barrister Keyamo however urged the Permanent Secretary to produce for him a roaster of briefings by all the directors in the ministry and also by the heads of parastatals and agencies alike.
The Minister who cut the mien of a Concorde aircraft already rolling from the holding bay for the crucial speed for a lift, and be airborne without much ado said, he was ready for briefing within 24 hours of assumption of office.
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