The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has hailed the Airports Council International, Africa, for electing Salem Dunoma, the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, as its President.
A statement by James Odaudu, the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, on Tuesday in Abuja said the minister gave the commendation when he received ACI’s Secretary-General, Ali Tounsi.
Sirika said ACI Africa had done great in Nigeria, adding that the country had benefited a lot from its activities in the form of training, tips on concessioning and improvement of airports.
He added that the country would appreciate the assistance of ACI Africa by way of advice on human resource development and instituting programmes that would help airport economy.
Sirika said: “The sector is ready to partner ACI to enhance development in the country’s aviation sector.
“Arrangement should be put in place immediately for the training of relevant people in the ministry and agencies by experts from ACI.”
Earlier, Tounsi, who was accompanied by Dunoma, said the reason for his visit was to explore areas of possible collaboration with the ministry on the safety, security and economy of airports and the sector in general.
Tounsi urged Nigeria to advantage of Dunoma’s position for maximum benefits from the programmes of the Council.
He said: “ACI is the association of the world’s airports with the prime purpose of advancing the interest of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations.
“ACI Africa’s mission is to act as an economic catalyst on the African continent while providing effective and quality airport services to stakeholders.”