Tag: Chris Najomo

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday announced that all mobile phones must be switched off during flight take-off and landing henceforth.

The NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, made this known at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) meeting following the two recent incidents of passengers’ unruly behavior at the nation’s airports.

Najomo stated that a memo will be sent to all airlines to update their protocols to include the new rule.

He warned that incidents of unruly passenger behaviours in the aviation sector could damage public trust if not properly handled.

NCAA DG said that the meeting was aimed at determining and deploying immediate corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, even as he highlighted the importance of training, retraining, and continuous training on matters related to aviation security.

According to him, “Today’s engagement is not about pointing fingers or apportioning blame – No, that would not achieve the desired results – It is rather about listening, discussing and awakening us to our individual and collective responsibilities towards a safe and secure air transport sector.

“We are here also to analyse and understand the chain of failures that permitted the incidents, unify and strengthen inter-agency coordination, determine and deploy immediate corrective measures, identify ‘quick wins’ and policy gaps, reiterate the need for training and awareness on aviation security.”

Also speaking, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said it is mandatory for all passengers on board an aircraft to obey the instructions of the pilot and cabin crew.

He maintained that while the passengers seek to enforce their rights, they should ensure that they do their responsibilities as passengers in order to ensure the safety of the flight.

He explained that uncooperative suspects are handled differently from a cooperative suspects, noting that, “This is global. In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, even if you are cooperative, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice.”

He said: “I am happy about the recent events. I am proud of the way the NCAA handled these issues. There is not one party involved that would repeat their errors. Not KWAM 1. Not Comfort. Not the pilot or cabin crew. But, there are gaps in the system that need to be plucked as a matter of urgency.”

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday endorsed a client-based solution by a consortium to resolve challenges associated with NigerΨair travel.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, said that the solution would provide protection for passengers in the event of flight disruptions.

Najomo was represented by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Micheal Achimugu, at the unveiling of solution in Lagos.

He said that the product was put together by three industry leaders to ensure seamless coordination, funding and operational reliability to boost efficiency in air travel.

According to him, the new solution –  Propel Re Protection System – is a unique tech-powered platform designed to help Nigerian carriers to re-protect passengers when flights disruptions occur.

“We are on the threshold of history. It is not a day for flowery words. The minister wants flight disruptions reduced to the barest minimum.

“In this industry, the passenger is the reason every other stakeholder exists. They are entitled, therefore, to better services and in accordance with global best standards,” he said.

According to Najomo, the solution had  got the buy-in of many domestic airlines.

“We are proud to introduce to you, the Propel solution as initiated by Aero Assist Hub. If they secure your buy-in, and I hope they do, we may just make history by fixing the most critical aspect of civil aviation in Nigeria,” he said.

The Managing Director of Aero Assist Hub, Mr Olugbinde Ojutelayo, said the consortium worked hard to come up with the solution.

“We are a consortium of three organisations. We have Avitech Technology Solutions, experts and industry leaders in aviation sector.

“We have Leadway Assurance. We basically crafted this solution, working with these two organisations.

“The idea is to put a final solution to this whole chaotic problem of flight disruption in Nigeria. We are not just coming with an idea, we are also coming with finance.

“We understand what the problem has been, many airlines are working with very thin margin, and when there is a disruption, it becomes a problem for them,” he said.

According to Ojutelayo, the pilot phase will begin in August.

“The pilot phase will begin in August and run for eight months, then we continue to the next phase,” he said.

The Head, Legal Unit at Aero Assist Hub, Funke Junaid said: “It is something that comes as a solution to what has been happening in the industry, regarding delays and cancellations.

“From the legal perspective, customers will be deriving their rights from the airlines.

“All the normal protected customer rights are still in existence, and that stands between the customer and the airlines. It is a win win for the industry.”

A representative of Leadway Assurance, Diana Mulili, said the introduction of the Propel solution would revolutionise air travel in Nigeria.

“When we approached this problem, we realised that it was a growing problem across the industry, and we needed to create a product that would work to solve the local problem.

“A minimal insurance premium guarantees a passenger that, should any disruption happen, he or she will get an alternative on another airline, and it is very seamless,” Mulili said.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it would sanction airlines engaged in deceitful departure time scheduling.

The Acting Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo made the assertion in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs/Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Tuesday.

The NCAA warned the airlines to desist from the infraction or face dire regulatory actions.

“The NCAA now runs a zero-tolerance approach to regulatory infractions.

“Ease of doing business is the crux of the D-G’s action plan for the NCAA. In line with that action plan, he has made processes for licensing easy for operators.

“The time to secure AOC is now shorter and less cumbersome than it used to be in the past. The NCAA therefore expects reciprocity from airlines. Chief of which is world-class services to passengers,” he

Najomo was quoted as saying that, if the NCAA was enabling a business friendly environment for operators, then the operators must satisfy the passengers with superior services.

“It has come to our notice that some airlines are being reported for advertising deceitful departure times. The NCAA regulation says no airline shall display deceitful passenger departure time at its counter, advert material or on its’ website.

“We want to make it very clear that the D-GCA has directed monitoring and offenders will face serious regulatory actions,” Najomo said.

He further stated that the Authority believes in safety, discipline, and economic regulation which is evident in the recent suspension of ten Permits for Non Commercial Flights (PHCF) holders for failing to comply with the recertification advisory issued in April 2024.

Speaking to the ease of doing business environment at the NCAA, Najomo said the ease of business is an area the Authority would continue to improve.

“This is evident in our high score on the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC) ranking. Recently our sister agency scored 96 per cent but the NCAA scored 98.5 per cent which is an extremely high score.

“This is building from the commendable score of 71.04 per cent the NCAA scored during this year’s ICAO Security Audit.

“The numbers are improving and we will continue to do what we can to make the industry safer, and more secure for passengers and stakeholders,” he assured.

On the difficulty in refund processes by airlines, Najomo said all refunds by airlines must be done devoid of undue delays and the process should conclude in 14 working days regardless of the mode of purchase of the tickets.

On the suspension of PHCF licenses of ten operators, he explained that they were advised since April 2024 to commence the process for recertification but they refused to comply this they left the Authority with no option than to sanction them.

Najomo also cleared the air on the misconceptions and misinformation in a recent publication alleging that the law surrounding the suspension of 10 PHCFs were not in vogue among other accusations.

Describing the allegations, which he believed to be done in ignorance or mischief as fluid and unfounded, Najomo explained the Authority’s actions using the Civil Aviation Act 2022.

He said that the action taken by NCAA was part of its mandate to ensure compliance with the civil aviation law establishing it and the attendant regulations.

In order to sanitize the sector, NCAA re-affirmed its stance to rid the industry of illegal charter operators who might have inspired the publication.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has denied procuring a vehicle worth N250 million for its Acting Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo,

without due process.

Spokesman for the Authority, and Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate, Mr. Michael Achimugu denied the allegation on Tuesday.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Daily Nigerian had released an investigation on the illegal purchase by the NCAA.

However, Achimugu said the report was not only fabricated, baseless and untrue, but also a figment of the imagination of the Daily Nigerian reporter, who failed to do due diligence on his ‘investigative story.’

Achimugu, while addressing the press at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 29,2024, stated that the Ag. DGCA has not purchased any vehicle since he assumed office in December, 2023.

He promised to resign his appointment as Director and “advise the Ag. DGCA” to do the same if the Daily Nigerian can provide proof of purchase, mulling a likely legal action against the medium and the reporter for publishing falsehood.

“NCAA has not paid any amount of money for any vehicle in the world since Captain Najomo came into office and I challenge the writer to present evidence and I will tender my resignation immediately and not only that I will ask the DG to do the same as well,” he emphasised.

The NCAA mouthpiece further stated that Captain Najomo has no operational vehicle since assumption of office, as the suspended DGCA, Capt. Musa Nuhu left with the vehicles in his custody, adding that the Ag. DGCA has not bought operational vehicles for the Directors of the Authority either.

Achimugu disclosed that the Authority’s helmsman chose to prioritize staff welfare over and above personal comfort, as demonstrated in the payment of overdue staff entitlements and the promotion of stagnated staff of the Authority.

On the alleged approval of N1b for staff training, Achimugu clarified that the payments made were in respect of training in the 2023 calendar year.

He explained that the foreign training component has not taken place because of the embargo on foreign travels by the Federal Government (FG), and assured that the foreign training will commence at the expiration of the embargo.

Concerning the blocked funds by the FG, Achimugu explained that the situation was not peculiar to the NCAA, but that several agencies of government are experiencing the same thing, adding that in spite of the new Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and the 50 percent upfront deductions by the FG, NCAA has not stopped remitting funds into the TSA account.

Achimugu stated that Captain Najomo runs an open door policy, therefore, rather than writing baseless and malicious reports aimed at tarnishing the good image of the NCAA, media practitioners should always seek clarification from the Authority before going to press.

In the course of the media parley, the Director enumerated a long list of achievements recorded by Captain Najomo within his four months in office.

Topping the list are staff welfare, training and re-training, re-orientation of staff, simplification of the certification and licensing process, granting of new Air Operator Certificates (AOC) and renewal of at least four AOCs.

Others include enhancement of surveillance and revamping of the Consumer Protection department with marked results.