19th January, 2024
By Grace Alegba
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Friday told airline operators that it would henceforth adopt a no pay, no service stance for growth of the sector.
Newly-appointed Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, said this during an interactive session with aviation unions and newsmen at NCAA annex office in Lagos.
He was accompanied by top directors of the agency.
Najomo explained that huge debt was being owed the authority, hence its new approach to debt recovery.
While making a slide presentation of his vision tagged “NCAA Project 2024”, Najomo said his administration was committed to ease of doing business principles that would encourage growth of the aviation industry.
“A debt recovery Joint Task force shall be mandated to implement the cost recovery drive.
“All debtors to NCAA shall seize to receive services from the Authority. Operation no pay, no service; strict sanctions for defaulting operators,” he said.
He said the cardinal focus of NCAA project 2024 would deal with simplifying certification and licensing processes, enhanced surveillance and intensified consumer protection.
“Capt. Chris Najomo wants a situation whereby you come and do business with ease.
“NCAA is committed to implementing a simplified certification/licensing system to streamline the approval process. This will be extended to other authorisations, approvals and permits.
“This is a derivative of the ease-of-doing-business philosophy toward encouraging growth of the aviation industry,” he said.
The NCAA boss also explained plans for achieving ISO 9001 certification, improving aviation stakeholders’ satisfaction and meeting all statutory and regulatory requirements.
“We are not only protecting the airlines, we are also protecting the passengers,” Najomo said.
Speaking on consumer protection, he said regulations would be enforced, ensuring airlines provide timely care for passengers.
He said that consumers would also receive quality service and their rights always protected.
Najomo also explained strategies for achieving enhanced surveillance; ICT digital transformation Epic and change management; staff welfare and training, amongst others.
While taking questions from newsmen, he explained measures against vandalism to boost airport infrastructure, Universal Safety Programme (USAP) audit and compliance to other international laws.
Najomo, who oversees the activities of airlines, service providers and aviation training institutions, called for media and NCAA staff support.
He called for positive criticism, urging the media to guide against misinformation and misinformation.