The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Thursday said the Federal Government was ready to create a National Council on Civil Aviation. Sirika, who was represented by Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for Science and Technology, made this known at the 8th Edition of the Aviation Workers` Week and Award Night (AWWAN) in Abuja. The theme of the event was “ The Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic to the Nigerian Aviation Industry: The Path to Recovery. “ According to him, some states have started embarking on establishing their own airports which calls for holistic coordinated by the Federal Government. “ I think there is a compelling force for that of council to be established. We have seen how various forms of disciplines and other segments of the government are able to patronise theirs at the state level to achieve maximum result. “With states launching the establishment airports at the state level, I think there is need for the council to properly coordinate and regulate

 NIGERIAN Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) has advised farmers in the North-central zone of the country against hasty planting in order to avoid losses due to the false onset of rains recorded. The meteorological agency gave the warning to states like Nassarawa, Niger, Benue, Abuja and neighbouring a state like Kaduna. Director-General/CEO, NiMet, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu said, “the recent rainfall activities recorded over the central states as well as Kaduna, in the North-west between the12th to 20th March, 2021 is a false onset as captured accurately in the 2021 Seasonal Climate Prediction. “The recorded rainfall is as a result of the forcing functions namely: Mid-latitude wave and the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) that led to the Northward pull of the inter-tropical discontinuity (ITD) and increased moisture into the country”. Professor Matazu also added that, the above, coupled with the abundant energy in the atmosphere, resulted in the recent rainfall events in and around Kadu

 FG write UAE over new rollout traveller's protocols Honourable Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika disclosed this on Monday 22nd March during the presidential task force on COVID-19 (PTF) briefing in Abuja. Emirates Airlines made demands that there would be PCR test for passengers within 72 hours of their flights and there would also be antigens rapid test at the airport and also a PCR test at their arrival in their country which is devoid of any scientific reasons Sirika said. Federal Government has written to UAE Government to withdraw and accept to fly passengers to and fro with only a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)test within 72 hours and at worse a repeat test on arrival but not a combination of the three demands as such would make traveling difficult. Emirates has reiterated it's commitment to Nigeria and look forward to resuming passenger services soonest. We are waiting to receive official response from them but hopefully, the issue will be resolved amicably and as

 Catering services, hitherto suspended at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic are to resume on domestic flights immediately. Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this at the weekly media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday, a statement by the Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, disclosed. According to the Minister, the decision was taken in consideration of the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments who have been adversely affected by the suspension. He, however, said that modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would be worked and rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which will be in line with international practices. Sirika also reiterated the plan to resume international flight operations at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport. According to him, members of the P

 FG sets to reopens Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports for international flight operations. The Federal Government has fixed April 4, 2021, as the date for the reopening of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) for international flights. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said this on Monday at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, in Abuja. He also listed 15 April and 3 May for the reopening of the Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Enugu, Enugu State international airports respectively for international flights.

 BUHARI APPROVES REORGANIZATIONS, NEW APPOINTMENTS IN AVIATION AGENCIES  In line with the administration’s commitment to the implementation of the Aviation Development Roadmap, President Mohammadu Buhari has approved some reorganizations within the Agencies under Federal Ministry of Aviation. Consequently, he has approved the appointment of Professor Bako Mansur Matazu as the new Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET). He replaces Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi. Professor Matazu holds a PhD in Geography (Applied Meteorology), with membership of the Nigerian Environmental Society, African Forestry Forum, Nigerian Meteorological Society, the Climate Change Network, Nigeria and the renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Nigeria (REEN). He was, until his appointment, the General Manager, Meteorological Research in the Agency. Also approved by the President is the appointment of Captain Modibbo Alkali Mahmud as the new Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technol