Aviation
By Sumaila Ogbaje/Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, says it is ready to partner with some state governments to encourage and sponsor indigent students, who are willing to take up profession in aviation.
Mr Abdulsalam Muhammed, Rector of NCAT, disclosed this while speaking at the Second Annual Seminar of the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondent Association (ATACA), on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the seminar is “Financing and Developing Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria: Opportunities and Threats”.
Abdulsalam said the college had started discussion with some state governors to see how such students could be identified.
He said that aviation training was the most costly among professions, adding that NCAT courses were being subsidised by the government because of its costly nature.
According to him, aviation training in Nigeria is the cheapest compared to any where in the world.
The rector disclosed that NCAT had acquired a Boeing 737 simulator to be installed in 2019, adding that the simulator would enhance the capability of its flying school.
According to him, Nigerian pilots have been spending millions of dollars to get the B737 type rating abroad.
Abdulsalam said the suspension of the national carrier project was not the end of the project, adding that the decisively was to ensure proper planning and effective implementation.
Also, Mr Akin Olateru, Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said the bureau had done a lot in recent time to release accident reports.
Olateru, represented by AIB’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said the bureau’s accident laboratory had been revived and now functional.
He said that AIB had raised the capacity of its investigators through manpower development.
He also commended the Federal Government for giving adequate support to the bureau to be able to fulfill its mandate.
Mr Chidi Iwarah, Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), said that good transport infrastructure system was needed to provide access to employment, health, education and other services.
Iwarah added that that adequate transport infrastructure would also help to alleviate regional inequality and fosters national integration.
According to him, it also increases access to markets and links local, regional, national and international markets; and promote economic development by increasing access to labour and physical resources thus facilitating the realisation of our country’s, comparative and competitive advantages.
“The different Transport modes (road, rail, maritime, air and waterways) have specific features and advantages.
“The overall efficiency and effectiveness of the transport system depends on the development of these modes and their interfacing and integration,” he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Felix Ajide