Aviation minister seeks seamless border trade

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has called for the harmonisation of border management protocols to enable seamless facilitation of goods and people as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) takes shape.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the National Action Committee for effective implementation of AfCFTA in the aviation sub-sector, he said, “This is very important for perishable goods. For example, you cannot fly bananas across borders and keep them in the storage facilities for days.

• Target vulnerable poor with COVID-19 vaccine – FG urged
  Bustle, hustle inside the famous Wukari Yam Market

Sirika called for the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) which “is the flagship project for the African Union Agenda 2063 to enforce appropriate rules and regulations to give fair and equal opportunities to all stakeholders and promote fair competition.”

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu, noted that while 34 countries had signed SAATM’s solemn commitment and Memorandum of Occupation, a third of those countries did not meet the eligibility requirement in safety and security.

The Regional Director for Advocacy and Strategic Relations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for Africa, Ms Adefunke Adeyemi, said connectivity was key to the effective implementation of AfCTFA and SAATM.