Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Olusegun Demuren has been conferred with the award of African Aviation Personality of the year by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)This is in recognition of his numerous efforts for enhanced safer skies in Nigeria, Africa and the world over. The award was presented by Mr. Tony Tyler the Director General of IATA, during the Annual General Meeting of the global airlines association held in Marrakech, Morroco. Tyler praised Nigerian Director General of Civil Aviation, Dr. Harold Demuren, who will complete his tenure in February 2012, for achievements in Nigeria. In 2005 it had the worst safety record on the continent with four of the eight hull losses in that year. Since 2007 Nigeria has had no hull losses. 'Dr. Demuren's leadership proved that world-class safety is possible in Africa. His work and many innovations should be an inspiration. Included among these, IOSA was made a requirement for long-haul operations from Nigeria. I urge other African governments to follow his example,' said Tyler. IATA in a statement urged support across the continent for its Checkpoint of the Future concept, noting that Nigeria joined INTERPOL and over 12 countries in signing a statement of principles supporting the concept. Tyler also pointed out the improvements needed in cargo security, and expressed concern at the development of a 'red list' of banned countries by Europe. 'Developing a red list is a flawed approach which does not address the underlying issues in cargo security. There is a better path: IATA's Secure Freight program is a blueprint for a multi-layered approach to securing the air cargo value chain. This is an innovative way to help countries incorporate years of industry know-how and best practices so that they don't have to start with a blank sheet of paper,' explained Tyler.With COP-17 opening next week in Durban South Africa, Tyler repeated aviation's commitment to environmental sustainability, through its targets of fuel efficiency improvements of 1.5per cent per year to 2020, carbon neutral growth from 2020, and a cut in net emissions of 50 per cent by 2050 compared to 2005. He also noted the great opportunities for sustainable biofuels. 'With the potential to reduce aviation's carbon footprint by up to 80 per cent sustainable biofuels are an innovation that is a potential game changer. The challenge is commercialization. There is huge potential for Africa to develop local biofuels industries that could spread economic opportunities even in the most remote corner of the continent,' he said.He also made clear the industry's opposition to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which will distort markets and open the door to a patchwork approach of conflicting, competing or layered measures including taxation. 'I urge all AFRAA members to stay engaged on the issue. It is important that you continue to communicate to your governments the importance of a global solution though ICAO,' said Tyler.The development of cost-effective infrastructure is crucial to the future health of African aviation. But infrastructure development fees are being imposed on airlines with little prior notification or consultation. The combined annual cost to airlines of three introduced since 2008 in Mali, Senegal and the DR Congo is over $100 million, more than the African industry made in 2010. 'Airlines and infrastructure providers share a common future. But we must safeguard and be guided by ICAO principles of non-discrimination, consultation, transparency, cost-relatedness and without pre-financing,' said Tyler.
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