The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has praised Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, for contributing to Nigeria’s 71.04 per cent audit rating by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu made the commendation on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr Achimugu told journalists that Nigeria scored 71.04 per cent in the ICAO-conducted Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA).

He said that Mr Keyamo and NCAA’s acting director-general, Chris Najomo, played huge roles in the country’s aviation industry during the recently concluded ICAO’s USAP-CMA.

He said that Mr Keyamo and Najomo were pivotal to the ICAO’s rating due to their leadership skills and mobilisation of human and material resources to ensure all gaps were closed.

Mr Achimugu said Messrs Keyamo and Najomo came into office months ago and immediately took action to improve infrastructure and workers’ remuneration.

“Six months ago, we met a dilapidated industry with poor infrastructure. The security and safety issues did not start in the last six months. Had it not been for the tireless efforts of the honourable minister and the DG of NCAA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% in the audit.

“Going by what was on the ground when Keyamo and Najomo assumed office, the current score is a substantially good showing, a miracle, if I must say.

“The narrative being pushed out is just a part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries,” he said.

According to Achimugu, ICAO auditors praised Nigeria’s performance during their final briefing at the NCAA and mentioned that they had complained about an absence in infrastructure.

According to him, the auditors eventually said they were pleasantly surprised that the infrastructure was made available the following day.

(NAN)