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The United States
Ambassador to Nigeria, Renee Sanders, on Thursday, commended the
efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) towards
ensuring air safety in the country.

Speaking to
journalists in a joint conference in Lagos, Mrs Sanders lauded the
federal government on the successfulcompletion of the United States
Federal Aviation Authority assistance program in readiness for
International Aviation Safety Assessment audit which is also a step
necessary for acquiring the coveted Category One Status. The ambassador
said that though there is still more to be done by way of improving
certain elements of the aviation sector, it is important to celebrate
the tremendous progress and success the government has made with making
Nigerian air travel the safest it has ever been. “Although Nigeria has
not obtained Category I Status yet, the progress to date continues to
put Nigeria on the right path,” she said.

Progress made

Mrs Sanders
congratulated the nation’s civil aviation regulatory agency for its
inaugural issuance of an Air Operator Certification (AOC) to Arik Air,
the country’s largest commercial carrier, adding that the United States
was pleased by the progress so far achieved.

Explaining that
additional air carrier options would expand the breath of Nigeria’s
aviation market, Mrs. Sanders disclosed that the development would
offer prices and services not offered currently. “This competition will
create incentives for both the carriers and the consumers,” she said.

Harold Demuren, director general of NCAA, said that he was grateful
for the support given by the Mrs Sanders-led team to the aviation
industry and to Nigerians. He, however, said that the government is
working towards eradicating any form of terrorism in Nigeria, an called
for continued support from the United States. “We mean business on
this,” he said. “The federal government has ordered for ten body
scanners, our people have been trained. We have put in additional
measures which makes secondary screening mandatory for our airlines. We
are able to sign MOU for the Air Marshals and we can look at your (Mrs.
Sanders) tenure in Nigeria as a major success and a big plus for
Nigeria’s aviation.”