Pragmatic Action Sought for African Aviation Industry
The 10th Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference, which ended in Nairobi, Kenya recently has called on leaders, decision makers and professionals in the air transport industry in Africa to move from aviation policy discussion to pragmatic action under an enabling environment that would transform Africa's economy through best practices.
The annual conference which brought together key players in the air transport industry in Africa and beyond with the theme "Air Transport in Africa: Transform to Win" was unique in several aspects as the event had the support and was attended by the Kenyan President and his vice as well as the top echelon of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Ministers responsible for air transportation in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria as well as top industry leaders in the public and private sectors in aviation and allied areas also attended.
Declaring open the conference, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya whose address was read by his Vice, Moody Awori said: "This forum brings together Africa's foremost aviation experts and aviation business leaders."
Speaking on the calibre of personalities and delegates at the conference, Kibaki said: "I have confidence in this group of distinguished participants in this conference and I believe that something good for African Aviation and related businesses will come out of your meeting in Nairobi."
A remarkable highlight of the conference was the Inter-Ministerial Meeting between the ministers present with top government officials and captains of industry within the private sector.
The meeting resolved to convene an annual meeting of Ministers responsible for air Transportation in Africa with the Government of South Africa's through its Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe agreeing to host the maiden edition of the meeting in South Africa in year 2005.
It was identified that Africa lags behind in the global scheme of development, including air transportation. A virile air transport industry it was agreed would rapidly acceletate economic growth of the continent, create more job opportunities and reduce poverty.
The conference also supported the increasing level of air transport liberalization in Africa and called on political leaders and African Civil Aviation Authorities to do more but cautioned that liberationzation does not mean lack of aviation regulation. One other issue raised at the event was the preparedness of African States in implementing ICAO's recommendation for issuing Machine Readable Travel Document (MRTD) beginning from 2010, which would raise the level of security of the air traveler and at the airports.
In this regard, Nigeria's Aviation Minister, Mallam Isa Yuguda questioned: "How prepared politically, financially and technologically are African countries for this development?" But Kenya's Minister for Transport, Hon. John Michuki posits; "Technology in passenger identification is advancing fast and we need to keep pace, bearing in mind the cost implications". Jeff Radebe, South Africa's Minister of Transport also comments: "We must integrate aviation security issues in particular much more closely than we have with the cooperative arrangements within and between national administrations." He added: "... Government should talk less and do more in the area of aviation and air transport."
Other issues discussed at the conference included transforming African Airports into economic powerhouses, addressing Africa's air transport financial needs, air transport policy formulkation and effective implementation, aviation safety and security and driving the transformation of the industry through responsible leadership and human capital development among others.
Participation at the 10th Leadership Conference was a good blend of core aviation businesses and practititioners and those who businesses depend on air transportation for quick and smooth operation such as oil and gas, tourism, international traders and the finance industry.
This year's conference had over 270 participants (as against 185 at the 9th edition held in Johannesburg. South Africa). These include representatives of multilateral and international organisations, government officials, aircraft manufacturers, chief executives and senior officials of airlines, civil aviation authorities, airport companies, leasing companies, banks and finance institution, IT and navigational service providers, insurance companies, oil and gas companies, print and electronic media and aviation enthusiasts.
There were also 19 speakers and five Session Chairmen who spearheaded discussions and deliberations at the conference.
The conference ended with the annual Aviation & Allied Business Industry Achievement Awards Nite, which took place at the Carnivore Restaurant on June 30.
Five Individual Achie-vement Awards were presented to deserving personalities in the air transport industry who have contributed to developing the industry in Africa. They include Dr. Taieb Cherif, ICAO Secretary General David Eniojukun, outgoing Nigerian Representative and Dean of the ICAO Council: Capt. Mostafe Hoummady, Standards and Procedures Officer in Safety Oversight Audit Section. ICAO HOs Montreal, Air Navigation Bureau: Anthony Kegode, CEO, East Africa Safari Air: and Ambrose Akandonda, MD, Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda, Corporate Awards went to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya for their corporate contribution in developing the air transport sector in their respective countries, sub-region and the continent.
The annual Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference was initiated in 1995 as a veritable platform for decision makers and leaders to deliberate on issues concerning growth of the industry. The event is organized by Aviation & Allied Business Publication, Publishers of the Aviation & Allied Business Journal, Africa's foremost publication on air transport development. The Leadership Conference is a rallying point for leaders in the air transport industry and its allied sectors to deliberate on issues of policy and socio-economic consequences on the air transport industry in Africa. The Leadership Conference is a private sector led initiative also aimed at creating cross border interface between the private and public sectors of the air transport industry in Africa. It integrates African aviation with the mainstream of global aviation, offering opportunities for creating the needed change and enhancing the quality of leadership as a pivot for Africa's economic growth.
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