According to the Director General of NCAA, Dr. Olusegun Harold Demuren is at the 6th World Bank supervision mission representative in the country, the agency is doing ‘extremely well’ in the provision of safety critical equipment, regulatory oversight and capacity building in the growing aviation industry.
He said, “If you look at the entire West Africa , Nigeria is doing very well. The thing is to remain committed, to ensure that these goals are met and go as far as we want to do. We are very optimistic that we will get these things done”.
Demuren stated that the project under West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety and Security Programme (WCAATSSP), was initiated to create a safe and secure environment for air transport in the sub-region.
He explained further that the safety critical projects in the Nigerian aviation sector comes under global apex bank regional programme designed to partner with and assist the 23 West and Central African (WCA) countries in order to identify and execute specific projects that would create a safe and secure environment for the air transport sector of the nations.
Demuren however disclosed that the project which is estimated to cost about $50million has been facing hitches due to slow release of funds from the World Bank implementation unit resulting in the slow pace of the projects.
Meanwhile, the leader of the World Bank team, Noro Rabefanikara listed the classification of the projects to include Economic Reform and Government Project (ERGP), West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety and Security Programme (WCAATSSP), Nigeria Project.
She said the overall objective of the projects is to enhance safety and security of operations in the aviation industry.