The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo has called on African Union (AU) to introduce no visa policy in all African countries to boost air transport on the continent.
He also urged African Aviation Ministers to lobby AU and impress it on the body to adopt unified civil aviation regulation for the continent.
Keyamo stated this on Monday in Abuja at the 24th Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Week with the theme “African Wants to Fly.”
The minister who was represented by the Director General, Civil Aviation, Nigeria (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu said only five out of 54 African countries of Rwanda, Kenya, Seychelles, Benin, and the Gambia have implemented visa-free travel for all Africans. “This is anti connectivity,” said.
He said: “A couple of African countries have removed visa requirements for Africans. I enjoined other Africans to do that. That will certainly stimulate air transport in Africa.
“This will lead to more direct flights, improved frequency, improve routs and make the movement of passengers and cargo easier with minimal transit points at competitive prices.
Keyamo further advocated for a single regulatory agency and a single policy for Africa as it’s experienced in Europe for more seamless operations.
He added: “54 different policies and 54 different policies won’t work for SAATM, not even 50 years from now. Nigeria’s commitment to the full liberalisation of YD/SAATM.
“While Nigeria has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AFCAC for tracking and monitoring the full implementation of YD/SAATM, she is also in the process of setting up a National Implementation Committee that would include various relevant stakeholders to enable further discussion that would facilitate the full implementation of YD/SAATM in Nigeria.
Keyamo maintained that this year’s Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Week will afford States in identifying the status of implementation of the YD/SAATM while encouraging Member States and all partner to join hands in the implementation of SAATM.
“Increased air connectivity brings concrete value by making trips shorter with optimal user satisfaction at minimum prices.
“We know that YD/SAATM would enhance connectivity by removing barriers and restrictions on air travel between African countries.
Also, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi said despite the believe in some quarters that the YD/SAATM implementation across the continent has not been standardised and has not yielded the expected results, there is significant progress being made especially with the introduction of the noble initiative of SAATM Pilot Implementation Project (PIP).
Therefore, she said this workshop could not have come at a better time than now as all hands are on deck to improve air connectivity across Africa in order to contribute to economic growth, job creation, among others.
encourage investment and innovation, improve the movement of people and goods as well as the efficiency of businesses between and amongst countries thereby boosting socio-economic development of the African Continent.