By Uche Mbah
The Ministry of Aviation has ordered all Agencies and parastatals under it to relocate their headquarters to Abuja within 45 days or face sanctions. This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in the verified twitter account of the Ministry, @fmaviationng.
“Minister of @fmaviationng Sen.@hadisirika has given the @FAAN_Official @NAMANIGERIA @NigerianCAA other, 45 days within which to relocate their corporate Hqrts in Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in line with the Presidential directives given in 2012.”
With this directive, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), are expected to be relocated to Abuja in compliance to a 2014 order, which has since then seen a phased movement by these Agencies.
The Agencies, however, appear to have been footdragging since then.
According to him, this is in conformity with the current economic situation that has resulted in government decision to cut down cost of governance.
“I am directed to remind you of a Presidential directive issued in 2012 requesting all the agencies under the Ministry of Aviation to relocate their corporate headquarters to the Federal Capital Territory ( Abuja ) for efficient and effective coordination and enhanced service delivery and note that eight (8) years after the directive, the agencies are yet to comply”, the statement continued in part.
“Accordingly, considering the current situation and the economic impact worldwide as well as the need to reduce the cost of governance and manage scarce resources in a sustainable way, it has become imperative and further to the honorable Minister’s directive (Copy attached) to request that you facilitate and complete the relocation of your corporate headquarters within the next forty-five (45) days in line with this earlier directive.”
Already many are currently running skeletal services in their Lagos office
