The federal government has called for the accelerated implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) among the African countries who have signed the agreement.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), made the call during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Session of The Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Of States which began in Abuja on Monday.
SAATM represents the vision of achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the immense potential of seamless air connectivity across our continent.
Keyamo said the call was critical because despite Africa’s strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow, and fragmentation remains a barrier to regional integration.
He noted: “I want to highlight the urgent need to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for the benefit of our sub-region and the entire African continent.
“It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make movement of passengers and cargo smooth with minimum transit points at competitive prices.
“Achieving these requires 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.”
While calling on all member states to move beyond commitments and take coordinated, deliberate steps toward making SAATM a reality, he said, “our skies must no longer be defined by closed borders, but by open opportunities.”
Also,the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said the 18th Plenary Session served as an opportunity to not only reflect on collective achievements, but also renew member country’s focus on the challenges ahead.
Najomo listed some of the challenges to include infrastructure gaps, personnel shortages, emerging safety risks and the imperative for digital transformation in aviation.
He noted that BAG continued to serve as a beacon of sub-regional cooperation, saying it was inspiring to witness the progress made in ensuring a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible air transport sector in line with the “No Country Left Behind” initiative by ICAO.
Naomi added: “Nigeria, being a driving force in the sub-regional group, remains steadfast in its fervent support for the laudable objectives of BAG and is committed to playing an active and constructive role in seeing to the realization of such air transport sector in West Africa and beyond.
“While we chart a bold path forward for BAG in particular, and Africa & global aviation in general, let us keep our eyes on the prize – a safe, secure, and unified aviation sector in West Africa.”
The Head of the BAG Secretariat Fansu Bojang who is also the Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said more needs to be done to unlock the potentials of the subregion.