Members of
the National Assembly during its current session in Banjul yesterday ratified
the revised constitution of the African Civil Aviation Commission.
The motion, tabled before deputies by the Minister of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Francis Liti Mboge, seeks to among others coordinate civil aviation matters in Africa as the specialized agency of the African Union Commission (AUC) responsible for civil aviation.
In tabling the motion, Works Minister Mboge said the Constitution of the African Civil Aviation Commission strengthens the legal framework of the commission, and enables it to function as the executing agency for the implementation of the Yamoussoukro decision.
He added that it cooperates with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other relevant organizations, which are involved in the promotion and development of civil aviation in Africa.
According to him, the AU civil aviation commission facilitates and coordinates efforts aimed at the successful implementation of the Yamoussoukro decision by supervising and managing Africa’s liberalized air transport industry.
The African air transport industry, he noted, is subjected to a number of complexities; apart from restrictions, access to capital to facilitate services is often non-existent; ideally some of these challenges could at best be handled at the continental level.
He noted that the coming into being of the commission is, therefore, opportune as it will give the drive that is necessary to implement the provisions of the Yamoussoukro decision.
Noting that the commission undertakes research in the technical, economic and regulatory aspects of air transport development in Africa, Works Minister Mboge encouraged member states to comply with ICAO standards and, more importantly, offer training programmes and activities in all fields of civil aviation that would be beneficial to all.
