The Federal Government, through the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), has called on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, along with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to review a draft policy aimed at implementing stricter sanctions on airlines over the rising number of flight delays and cancellations in the country.
This recommendation was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and head of the CRDCU, Hadiza Bala-Usman, during a performance assessment meeting at the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Wednesday.
The meeting was part of the ongoing review of the Q1–Q3 2024 Performance Assessment Report on the implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables.
Bala-Usman underscored the need for stronger measures to protect passengers from the frequent disruptions, which lead to significant inconvenience and financial loss. She pointed out issues within the Ministry’s stakeholder engagement and customer service processes, noting that incomplete data on service delivery and unresolved complaints hindered an accurate evaluation of progress.
Additionally, Bala-Usman questioned the feasibility of the Ministry’s 224-day target for resolving customer complaints, calling it “unrealistic” and inconsistent with global standards. She stressed that this target must be recalibrated to ensure faster and more effective resolution of passenger grievances.
In response, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, praised the CRDCU for its diligent oversight and assured that efforts would be ramped up to address the identified challenges. He committed to enhancing service delivery and ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation sector meets the highest global standards.
This call for action comes amid growing concerns over the negative impact of flight delays and cancellations on passengers, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the aviation industry.
