AIMAN Insists On Licensing of members, constitution review
CHIGOZIE AMADI
LAGOS – Aeronautical Information Management (AIMAN) has advocated for the licensing of its members by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in conformity with industry standards.
Dr. Ibrahim Audu, the new President of AIMAN, however said that he would ensure the licensing of its members within the duration of his tenure, adding that he would also work for constitution review of the association in a bid to be evolve with the developments in the industry.
Audu stated these over the weekend in Lagos after his election as the new President of the association.
He insisted that as a professional department, it required licensing to validate their job and also have confidence in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
Audu expressed that the non-licensing of AIMAN members by NCAA was a grave concern to all, stressing that their licensing would restore confidence in the travelling public.
He maintained that many of his predecessors did their best in ensuring the licensing of the professionals in the department, but regretted that nothing had been achieved so far.
He said: “We all know every professional department; every profession needs license for them to have confidence in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
“We have our products, Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) products that we provide to the end users. Who are the end users? The pilots, engineers and a host of others. These products are the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and the Notice-To-Airmen (NOTAM) that we produce.
“These products must be available to ensure safe flights. There is the need for us to be licensed so that even the public will have the confidence that the real professionals are the driving forces in the industry.”
Besides, disclosed the plan to review the existing constitution of AIMAN, stressing that a committee had been set up for this purpose.
According to him, the committee would look at the grey areas where amendments are required in order to suit the wishes and aspirations of their members, which is geared towards achieving the aims and objectives of AIMAN.
On the AIS automation, Audu stated that the issue had been on since 2003, but lamented that nothing had changed till date.
He however stated that most of the structures or facilities, like the one-stop-shop for the AIS automation were in Kano and other airports across the country.
He expressed that the real problem of automation remained unknown till now.
He, however, promised that the new executives would meet to find out the challenge concerning automation, adding that it would ensure the process was facilitated.
“So, for now, as it is, any effort to facilitate AIS automation, this association will make sure that it is supported. We can liaise with the management, since the automation is for the safety of the industry. So, I don’t know why the delay. We need to consider safety, safety today, safety tomorrow, safety always and we shall get a resolution, and the AIS automation shall be realized,” he said.
