By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Federal Government of Nigeria has again, reviewed its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Ugandan authorities to among other things, allow for a direct air connectivity between the two countries.
The air service agreement between the two countries was first signed in 2002 and reviewed in 2005.
Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika had led a delegation to Kampala, Uganda’s capital to hold talks with his Ugandan counterpart in-charge of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Kamala on the scope of the review.
Among other things, the meeting targets the provision of necessary administrative and technical support to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed during the last International Civil Aviation NegotiHadi Siation (ICAN) event, which was held in Abuja from December 5 – 9, 2022.
Gen. Kamala, while receiving the delegation, said the meeting would provide the necessary political leadership that will facilitate implementation of the Agreements reached during the meeting.
He reiterated his country’s quest for the operation of direct flights into Nigeria using its national carrier, the Uganda Airlines.
He also sought technical cooperation and collaboration between the Nigerian College ofh Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), located in Soroti, Uganda.
Equally, the Ugandan Aeronautical Authorities also solicited technical support from Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Sirika while responding, underscored the importance of air transportation, which he said remains the major veritable means of connecting the people of Africa and enhancing trade.
He stated that air transportation will do well in Africa with its population of over 1.37 Billion and urged African Nations to leverage on the opportunity of Single Africa Air Transport Market ( SAATM) to attain the 2065 Africa Agenda.
He assured the government of Uganda to facilitate necessary efforts to ensure air connectivity becomes a reality as both countries have come a long way and promised positive responses to the requests made by Uganda.
