By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja-The President of Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Aliu, has said that Nigeria can maximally utilize the Drone Technology especially in the area of border patrol to safeguard its borders.
Aliu who made the disclosure on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State, Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika, with his team, said that ICAO through its regional office in Africa would continue to engage the government in order to follow up on the issues of safety of air navigation, security of airport, infrastructure development and capacity building.
He said the visit was to appreciate the Federal Government for the generous hospitality extended to participants at the on-going Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) symposium and expressed delight over Nigeria’s willness to regulate the unmanned sector, adding that it is not only for the benefit of Nigeria but for the entire African states.
According to him; “By agreeing to host this event, it will set the foundation for the work in respect to the development of the drone technology and particularly ensuring that there is appropriate regulatory frame work to enable the opportunity for our members to take advantage in the safe and efficient use of the new technology with due regards to other airspace users who are working in the segregated environment”.
He also expressed happiness over the participation of Nigeria’s industries from the regulatory body to the parastatals and also other sectors such as Defence.
Responding, the Minister commended Aliu for the tremendous support and guidelines that ICAO has been giving to the nation’s aviation industry on the best way to go forward,adding that the visit was a morale booster for Nigeria aviation industry in the area of training and capacity building as well as skills deployment
He said effort was being made to ensure the successful certification of Nigerian airports by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and in addition improve security and safety of the airports.
The Minister said; “We cannot thank ICAO enough and AFCAC and the Regional office for the work they have been doing for the Ministry of Transportation in Nigeria. I can assure you that the works are going and we will continue to do more to achieve the desired result”.
Aliu was on the visit in company of the Second Vice-President of the council, Mr Nuhu Musa, and Mrs Iyobo Sosina, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) as well as Mr. Mam Sait Jallow, ICAO’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
