Aviation is set to be part of key economic drivers that will benefit from President Bola Tinubu’s proposed Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the fund targets strategic sectors like agriculture, transportation, ports,  energy, healthcare, and education along with aviation.

The initiative plans to inject funds into vital national projects to foster growth, bolster local value addition, generate jobs, and spur innovation.

Efficient use of low-interest loans and financing options will secure advantageous arrangements for project financing and operation.

The focus on aviation enhancement involves modernising major airports nationwide with targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades.

The statement reads, “On aviation enhancement, the focus is on the revitalization and modernization of major airports nationwide. Through targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades, major airports will undergo comprehensive refurbishment, including improvement in terminal facilities, runway expansions, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.”

For agricultural infrastructure, the focus includes developing robust networks like storage facilities and irrigation systems.

In port revitalisation, the goal is to modernise facilities and attract investments to enhance Nigeria’s regional trade hub status.

“By modernizing port facilities and implementing advanced monitoring systems, the goal is to optimize efficiency, attract investments, and bolster Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub,” the statement read.

Key road projects like Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road aim to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

Rail projects like Lagos-Kano and Eastern lines will modernise transportation networks for speed and reliability.

President Tinubu’s approval of the RHIDF absorbs the PIDF, expediting project delivery for Nigerians’ benefit.

Projects funded under the RHIDF will have a national spread, reflecting the commitment to equitable development.

Arik Air has bagged the award for  Best Sustainable Airline of the Year,  2024 by the World Quality Alliance and Quality Standards Journal.

The airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Mr Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Ola said the award was presented to the airline at the National Quality Summit 2024 held on March 22 in Abuja.

According to Ola, the Award General Committee of the National Quality Order of Merit, said the award was meant to celebrate leadership innovations and creativity in quality management.

Ola noted that Dr Ovie Shaka, Vice Chairman, Organising Committee of the National Quality Order of Merit Awards 2024, explained that the award was aimed at identifying, recognising and rewarding companies.

“The award also aims at rewarding personalities and products that apply quality assurance culture and quality management best practices.”

He said the award was presented by Stanley Ohenhen, on behalf of the Organising Committee and received by Arik Air’s Director of Safety, Capt. Jide Bakare.

Ola quoted Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, as saying that the award is another testament of the airline’s fastidious adherence to operational safety standards.

Ilegbodu said Arik Air was committed to continual improvement of the management system and operational performance.

Recall that Arik Air also won the 2023  Best In-flight Service Airline by the Nigerian Aviation (NIGAV) Award.

The Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has warned of potential action following Caverton Helicopters’ improper sack of its members and withholding dues.

This is coming barely a week after another union, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE) issued its own ultimatum following the company’s infractions.

The union says if the airline fails to rectify the situation by immediate settlement of outstanding payments it will rely on subsisting ultimatum alone or jointly with other victimised unions without further notice.

In a letter dated March 13, 2024, titled ‘Continuous Disregard for Union Demands,’ Comrade Frances Akinjole, the Principal Deputy General Secretary, outlined the grievances.

The letter, also copied to the Director-General Civil Aviation, alleged abuse of court processes and termination of Olayinka Jinadu’s employment without proper settlement.

Jinadu’s severance payments were only initiated after the union intervened through letters dated July 14, 2023, and September 20, 2023.

Despite this, some of Jinadu’s pensions remain unremitted, complicating access, especially considering his deteriorating health.

Moreover, Caverton Helicopters is accused of deliberately withholding the union’s check-off dues.

These concerns were raised at ATSSSAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ibadan earlier this year.

The NEC-in-Council directed action against Caverton Helicopters if the issues were not promptly addressed.

The letter read, “…considering all the abortive painstaking efforts our union had invested in persuading your Management to act responsibly, and considering the Caverton Helicopters’ penchant for abuse of court processes by rushing to court to seek frivolous injunctions for infractions the company willingly perpetrated our union still relies on the subsisting ultimatum whenever we are ready to pull the trigger for the ultimate action, either alone or jointly with other victimised unions without further notice.”