NCAA vows to protect rights of passengers, airlines
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to continue to protect the rights of passengers and airline operators.
The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo also said actions taken by the regulatory body have led to safer skies and conformity with regulations by airline operators and other stakeholders.
He also hinted that the authority recently sanctioned five airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, due to failure to pay refund tickets.
Najomo, who disclosed this at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja on Thursday during the celebration of 25 years of existence of the NCAA, also said he would remain resolute in discharging his duties.
On what Nigerians should expect this year, Najomo said, “We are going to enhance surveillance this year as per consumer protection. We are going to be protecting passenger rights and also protecting the airline’s rights. We believe that passengers must know their rights and their responsibilities. We will also ensure enhanced surveillance and ensure that all the airlines conform to safety and maintain regulations.
“By the end of 2025, we must be able to point to tangible successes. The aviation industry must be safe, secure, economically viable, and consumer-friendly. The technical and non-technical staff of relevant directorates directly in charge of these goals will be held responsible for any flaws.”
He also noted that efforts are ongoing to digitalise most of the processes in the authority for ease of doing business.
According to him: “We are digitalising most of our processes and I am sure we will be fully digitalised by the end of the year to make doing business easy and seamless.”
On his achievements and challenges, since he assumed office the last year, Najomo said: “I have gone through a lot in the last year, but I have remained focused because I want to lay a legacy. I know there are lots of distractions but it is not affecting my work. I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do.
“A lot of people have called for my confirmation as the DG of the NCAA, and I am certain that God brought me to the NCAA for a purpose. If I am asked to take a bow after my one year in an acting capacity, I will do so knowing that I have done a great job in the last one year. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President and when it comes to the time, he will do the needful.
“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President has allowed us to perform optimally.
“Our objective is to make sure that every airline complies with regulations. Recently, we sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time.
“The country manager of Ethiopian Airlines came to see me on the matter. So, this year, we hope to see better compliance with our regulation,” he said.
