By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE INTERNATONAL Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has recorded a 91.45% aviation safety rating following an assessment, with President Bola Tinubu welcoming the outcome.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the rating was announced during a debriefing by the ICAO audit team at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), where the lead auditor confirmed it as the highest score ever recorded by the country.
The ICAO, a United Nations (UN) agency, coordinates principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
Through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), it assesses countries to ensure effective management of safety risks and strengthen international confidence in national airspace.
A presidency news release says that Nigeria, as a member state, is required to comply with international standards and implement safety critical oversight elements.
Since the programme began in 1999, the country has undergone four safety audits, with results measured through Effective Implementation scores.
The 91.45% score places Nigeria above the West African regional average of 61.1% and the global average of 70.4% as the Presidency stated that this strengthens international aviation credibility and boosts investor confidence.
President Tinubu said the rating affirms the nation’s aviation safety standards and enhances its attractiveness for investment in aviation infrastructure, maintenance facilities and airline operations.
He commended the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the achievement.
The President urged the ministry to review and implement all recommendations made by ICAO auditors during the mission to ensure that the country maintains and improves on the rating.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that the administration had identified infrastructure and transportation as priority areas to drive growth, with a focus on building a safe, secure and efficient aviation industry and positioning Nigeria as a hub that meets international standards and best practices beyond the African continent.
In line with this, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, outlined a five-point agenda to develop the aviation value chain, with strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous improvement in ICAO rating as the first priority.
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