The acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed on Friday that the agency will not be relocating its headquarters to Lagos.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists to unveil his vision for the NCAA, titled “NCAA Project 2024,” in Lagos, Capt. Najomo stated that the NCAA headquarters remains in Abuja.
“NCAA has not received a directive to relocate; we are still in Abuja,” the acting DG said.
Najomo said the journey to transform the sector has just begun.
He itemised prompt and simplified licencing/certification, enhanced surveillance, Consumer Protection, and staff welfare, among others, as those areas that would be given the utmost attention.
He also listed digital transformation; intensified revenue drive; Universal Safety Audit and ISO 9001 certification as part of his agenda for the year.
While making his presentation, Najomo also urged debtor airlines to pay up their debts or risk being denied services henceforth.
While also giving the option to schedule the payment, he said the Authority has adopted a ‘no pay, no service’ policy as airlines will no longer get services not paid for.
He said a large chunk of the money (50 percent) now goes straight to government coffers, adding that as a cost recovery agency, it will no longer condone heavy debts from airlines.
“We are intensifying our cost recovery drive, the federal government now takes 50% of the money, most of the airlines are owing us, and we have told them to pay up. A debt recovery Joint Task Force shall be mandated to implement the cost recovery drive. All debtors to NCAA shall cease to receive services from the Authority, there shall be operation no pay, no service and there will be strict sanctions for defaulting operators,” he said.
Speaking on consumer protection, the NCAA boss disclosed that there are consumer protection officers monitoring airline operations at all of Nigeria’s airports, adding that some delays and cancellations are not the fault of the airlines but when it’s their fault, they will be made to pay according to the regulations.
He hinted at putting up a portal where passengers can log their complaints for prompt attention and resolution.
“Enforcing airlines’ compliance with the Nig. Cars 2023 Part 19 (Consumer Protection Regulations) is a priority. We will ensure that airlines provide timely care to passengers for service disruptions, we will ensure that consumers receive quality service In the Nigerian Aviation industry and that their rights are always protected,” he said.
