Hadi Sirika: Nigeria’s Aviation minister

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) would brainstorm to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change in Africa.

The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Muhtar Usman, disclosed this at a workshop/Seminar organised by the authority on Wednesday in Lagos.
Usman explained that the seminar was a three-day programme to build the capacity of member States from this region on the Development of States’ Action Plans and CORSIA.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the seminar is “Development of States Action Plans on C02 Emissions Mitigation Measures and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)’’.
Usman noted that the rapid growth of air travel in recent years, however, contributes to an increase in total pollution attributable to aviation.
“Thus, ICAO has decided to provide leadership to undertake efforts to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change.
“These efforts include the development of state action plans by member States, the development of basket of measures to address CO2 emissions from international aviation through aircraft technology.
“Others are the operational improvement, sustainable alternative fuel for aviation and a global scheme known today as CORSIA,’’ he said.
Usman explained that Nigeria had not only developed and submitted its state action plan to ICAO but had also voluntarily notified the organisation that it would join CORSIA implementation from the outset during the pilot phase from 2021.
He said this was with a view to being on the same page with the rest of the world on emissions mitigation measures.
Usman noted that the workshop had been designed to provide national action plan focal points and aviation industry stakeholders with practical input on the calculation of the CO2 emissions baseline and other quantification aspects.
He said this would also provide opportunity for States that are present to share their experiences in the development of action plans and existing readiness to implement CORSIA, as well as conduct an assessment of assistance needs.
Also speaking, the Director of Air Transport, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Mr Tefera Mekonen Tefera, said it took a decision to collaborate with ICAO and ECOWAS to build capacity and assist these member States having challenges in developing their state action plans.
Tefera added that the commission would also facilitate the engagement of the “ICAO Buddy Programme’’ among States.
He said this workshop was also designed to upgrade the understanding of participants so they could have a better grasp of the functioning, implications and benefits of their States participating in the pilot and first phases of the scheme.
“At this point, it will be a remiss of me not to acknowledge the decision of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to join CORSIA from the pilot phase.
“I warmly congratulate Nigeria on this decision and will like to enjoin our other member States to join CORSIA as soon as possible,’’ Tefera said.

(NAN)