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The two civil aviation authorities signed the agreement
during the African Aviation Summit in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deal will make
Nigeria and South African aviation regulators share safety and security best
practices with each other.
It will also streamline regulations to foster smooth flight
arrangements between both countries.
The NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu signed on behalf
of Nigeria while Ms Poppy Khoza, Director of SACAA signed on behalf of South
Africa.
NAN further reports that the ministers of both countries
witnessed the signing ceremony.
Nuhu said the deal will enhance the flight operations
between the two countries to almost be like domestic flights.
He further said that the single regulatory regime in Africa
at large would unlock opportunities in aviation to enhance the implementation
of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project.
He said SAATM was launched in January 2018 to give fresh
impetus to the goal of liberalizing air transport across Africa to fully
implement the Yamoussoukro Decision.
SAATM, Musa said, is projected to create 508,750 direct jobs
and a 4.2 billion dollars impact on African GDP in the long term.
“We will remove all the barriers and obstacles of operations
between both countries. Going forward, we hope other countries will join us to
see the successful implementation of SAATM.
“This is a first step of a long journey,” he said.
Also speaking, Khoza, said the step was a step in the right
direction to strengthen the relationship between the two technical agencies.
According to her, the agreement will be of great assistance
to the two countries and the African continent in terms of elevating safety and
security posture
She said there would be no thriving and sustainability of
aviation in Africa if safety and security were not prioritized.
“This is a technical cooperation agreement which is very
technical in nature. We will be exchanging on aviation safety and security in
particular.
“The Minister of Nigeria has indicated that one of his plans
is to ensure that he upholds the highest-level standards of aviation security.
“It is the same plan for my minister. Therefore, there are synergies between both
ministers. So, we will be cooperating a lot. In fact, we are already
cooperating,” she said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
Festus Keyamo, said he was highly pleased with the deal.
He expressed optimism that the two countries involved would
benefit immensely from it.
“This is an exciting day for us. You can tick this as one of
my deliverables under my first plans. We need to learn from one of the
countries in Africa ahead of us in safety and security standards.
“South Africa is doing 92 percent in terms of ICAO standards
and Nigeria is doing 70 percent. By cooperating with SA, we are sure to close
that gap and even exceed it.
“We will close the gap as soon as possible” he enthused.
According to him, the relationship will be symbiotic in
terms of guidance and assistance.