There is uncertainty in the aviation industry over the expiration of the tenure of the chief executives of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N).
The Rector/CEO of NCAT, Capt. Muhammed AbdulSalam and the Commissioner/CEO of AIB-N, Engr. Akin Olateru, were appointed on January 10, 2017.
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Their appointments are for a period of four years, renewable for another four years in line with the recommendations of the Minister of Aviation.
At the same time, the heads of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) were also appointed.
However, the tenures of the CEOs of NIMET and NAMA are for five years in line with the provision of the acts establishing them. But for NCAT and AIB-N, they could be renewed for another four years subject to their satisfactory performance.
Daily Trust learnt on Tuesday that the AIB-N head proceeded on terminal leave since December 2020 and handed over to the most senior director in the agency.
But it was not clear if the rector of NCAT had handed over. He, however, on January 27, spoke to Daily Trust listing his achievements as he clocked four years in office.
The aviation industry is looking up to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who usually recommends the appointment of CEOs for the agencies under the ministry’s supervision.
Speaking, on Tuesday, a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Olayinka Abioye, made a case for the reappointment of the duo.
He said: “In the AIB, the turnaround of its fortunes in the areas of investigating incidents and accidents and dishing out far-reaching preliminary and primary reports has been very overwhelming. Staff welfare is also of utmost importance.
“NCAT and NIMET have also performed beyond expectations. Given their financial situation and being tied to the apron strings of the federal government, I can say without any ambiguity that the CEOs have scored very high marks and should be allowed to finish the structures they have started,” he noted.
