The Vice President of Botswana, Lt. General Mompati Merafhe and
a number of Air transport Ministers in Africa say improved
government involvement in aviation development is essential for
Africa, as they outline areas where government action should be
committed in air transport development on the continent. The
dignitaries who spoke at the Ministerial Session of the 16th
Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference in Gaborone,
Botswana, August 29-31, say increased support for African airlines
as well as development of infrastructure and manpower, among others
would strengthen growth of air transport in Africa.
L-R (standing): Hon. Mike
Hammah, Min. of Aviation, Ghana; Hon. Frank Ramsden, Min. of
Transport & Communications, Botswana; Hon. Erkki Nghimtina,
Min. of Works & Transport, Namibia; Ms. Lerato Molebatsi,
Special Adviser to Min. of Transportation South Africa; Hon. Paulo
Zucula, Min. of Transport & Communications, Zimbabwe and Capt.
Edward Boyo, Publisher, Aviation & Allied Business Journal L-R
(sitting): Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, Hon. Min. of Aviation, Nigeria; Lt.
Gen. Mompati Merafhe, Vice President, Botswana; Dr. Elham Ibrahim,
Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, AU and Ms. Jennifer
Kargbo, Dep. Exec. Sec., ECA, at the 16th Aviation & Allied
Business Leadership Conference in Gaborone, Botswana.
The financial base of airlines can also be improved through
government-administered recapitalization policies as done in
Nigeria a few years ago, and governments should find ways to
mitigate the impact of heavy taxes and duties paid on the
importation of aircraft, spares and related items for African
airlines, says Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation.
Moreover, Hon. Frank Ramsden, Minister of Transport &
Communications of Botswana, wants favourable maintenance contracts
to be signed between African airlines and equipment manufacturers
to enhance safety of aircraft operation.
Hon. Erkki Nghimtina, Minister of Works & Transport of
Namibia, wants governments in Africa to invest more in aviation
training, while condemning political interference in airline
operation in Africa. Hon. Mike Hammah, Ghana's Minister of
Aviation, expresses Ghana's support for the strengthening of AFCAC
to enable it play its role especially as the Executing Agency of
the Yamoussoukro Decision. Representatives from the private sector
who spoke at the Conference call for urgent improvement in
leadership for African aviation industry.
End