NANTA’s advocacy stance on state of Nigeria’s aviation vindicated by NASS -- Bankole

Mr. Bankole Bernard

The President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernard, has commended the National assembly, particularly the House Representatives Committee on Aviation for the high profile public hearing on aviation that the gesture has vindicated the association’s stridency in advocating for developmental initiatives in the industry.

Mr. Bernard, who recently led a delegation of NANTA members to the National Assembly to draw attention of the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, to the rot in the industry, stated that the emerging hidden truths and fearful revelations from the aviation public hearing in Abuja clearly vindicates the earlier position of NANTA, and puts the defenders and apologists of the rot in a tight corner.

According to him, poor airports infrastructure and the lingering consequences of CBN forex policies have been the bane of airline business, particularly the indigenous operators. 

The NANTA boss, who just returned from an international conference organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Amman, Jordan, called for fresh progressive aviation administrative legislation in Nigeria.

He said NANTA’s evangelical outcry and the advocacy stance of top senate leadership on aviation is very heartwarming and very progressive in the right direction.

Mr. Bernard particularly noted that he was impressed by the very commendable position of the senate, which equally points to the advocacy of NANTA, signifying possible initiation of measures to rescue the ailing industry.

Speaking at the senate plenary, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpbio and Senator Dino Melaye warned the government to brace up and tackle the rot in aviation industry or be ready for fresh outbreak of air crashes in the country.

Senator Dino Malaye had, during the plenary last week, brought a motion on “Disturbing Development in Nigeria Aviation Industry” to which senators Ekweremadu and Godswill Akpabio had, in their contributions, described state of Nigeria aviation as very embarrassing.

The NANTA president, who commended the senators for their swift reaction, called on all other well-meaning Nigerians to join the campaign aimed at restructuring and restoring the nation’s lost economic glory, which has been the steam behind infrastructural development in recent past.

“Three months ago, when we started the campaign to expose the rot in aviation industry, our traducers went to town to call us names with many of them saying that NANTA was wrong to have visited the NASS, the presidency and the media to complain of the looming dangers facing our aviation sector.  Today, we hold our head high that the truth is tumbling out from concerned Nigeria’s who once withheld their support to our earlier campaign” He noted.

Mr. Bernard informed that NANTA will, in due course, marshal out a Nigerian aviation restoration blue-print to add value to whatever position the government and the National Assembly may have on the way forward for aviation.

“NANTA will soon head back to the NASS and the Presidency with our own position and suggestion which, again, we pray would help our Nation back on its feet on aviation business,” he said.

 He also appreciated the Nigeria aviation and tourism press for their consistent support which, today, has brought the nation to the painful reality facing the nation’s aviation sector.