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Aviation to contribute $168.7bn to Africa GDP by 2032

By on June 14, 2014

With increase in socio economic activities in the African continent, it has been projected that by 2032 air transport would be contributing $168.7 billion to the region’s GDP.

Nigeria, with the strongest economy in the continent and with high number of air travellers, is expected to benefit hugely from this increase if it maximises the opportunity and potential presently at its behest by developing and engaging indigenous manpower in the sector and also establishing and operating viable airlines.

In Africa the sector generated and estimated 428,000 jobs in 2012, according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) and 118,000 of the number (27 per cent of the total) were in jobs for airlines or handling agents and 45,000 people (11 per cent of the total) worked for airport operators.

Also 222,000 jobs (52 per cent) were on site workers at the airports at retail outlets, including shops, restaurants, hotels and others, while a further 27,000 (6 per cent) were employed in the manufacture of civil aircraft (including systems, components, airframes and engines. Air navigation service providers employed an additional 17,000 people, (which is 4 per cent).

According to African Aviation magazine, the total impacts of these jobs means that the air transport sector supported 1.1 million jobs and contributed $34.5 billion to the GDP of Africa and in addition, travel and tourism supported 5.8 million people in employment and contributed $46 billion to GDP in Africa’s economy.

Also in 2012 African airports witnessed a seven per cent growth in passengers handled, compared with 2011 and the study revealed that of the top 20 airports in the continent three are located in South Africa and three in Egypt, making the two countries the biggest air transport market in Africa.

With the expansion of air transport at an expected rate of around 5.1 per cent per annum, the sector is likely to continue to generate significant economic impacts in the continent.

Oxford Economics forecasts that the number of jobs supported by aviation and tourism impacts would grow to 10.5 million by 2032, a 51 per cent increase from 2012 and the contribution to GDP is projected to grow to $168.7 billion by 2032, a 109 per cent increase on 2012 figures.

The study remarked that while there are a number of renowned world class carriers in the region, such as South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Egypt Air, Africa is still an area of safety concern within the industry.

But there is hope because concerted efforts by partners across the industry and governments would tackle this challenge by ensuring the region’s safety meets global standards by 2015.

African Aviation noted that flying is still expensive in the region, as Africa has only recently seen the establishment of low cost carriers and the regional airline association has highlighted the negative impacts of high taxes and fees on the possibility of growth in African aviation.

Caption: NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi
NIMASA Begins 24-Hour Satellite Surveillance of Nigeria Waters
John Iwori

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has begin a 24 hours surveillance of Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The exercise which will ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the Nigerian maritime domain followed the successful launching of the agency satellite surveillance system.

This is a key component of the agency new 24-hour Surveillance Centre which has the capability to detect boats, ships and objects of predefined cross-section floating on water.

This includes any aircraft that ditches and remains on the surface during satellite over-flight. Its abilities further includes but not limited to setting range rings and restricted areas for which when penetrated by an intruder, the system gives an alarm thereby alerting the operator/watch keeper.

Already, the launching of the centre is yielding good results as the agency in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, successfully rescued a Ghanaian fishing vessel Marine 711 from suspected hijackers last week.

Confirming the development, the agency in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi said the Ghanaian registered vessel was hijacked off the coast of Ghana.

It said the vessel sailed across Togo and Benin Republic to Nigerian waters when the Embassy of the Republic of Korea contacted the Agency to help rescue the vessel said to be owned by its national.

According to the statement, the Ghanaian Fisheries Authority and the operators of the fishing vessel joined in requesting NIMASA to bring the incident to a logical conclusion.

In a swift operation co-ordinated by  NIMASA’s Director of Shipping Development, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, the agency’s newly built satellite surveillance system with cloud penetrating radar capabilities was brought to bear and the incident was resolved within six hours.

He stated that NIMASA team working with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, which used air and sea patrols, quickly put up a response and reception plan which led to the hijackers abandoning their mission and fleeing.

Osamgbi quoted NIMASA Director General, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi expressing satisfaction with the co-operation shown by all parties in the operation.

The NIMASA helmsman noted that the agency would continue to utilise  what he called “cutting edge technology” and partnership with the military to secure Nigerian waters for enhanced trade activities.

THISDAY checks revealed that this is the first regional co-operation between NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and the Ghanaian Authorities in the anti-piracy war in the Gulf of Guinea, which is hinged on the provisions of the bilateral agreement on regional cooperation on anti-piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria as signatory to the International Safety of Life and Sea (SOLAS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Conventions, is obliged to intervene and provide co-ordination during safety and security-related incidents in her territorial waters and beyond.

Global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom had about a decade ago designated Nigeria as one of the five Regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RMRCCs) in Africa.

Following the designation by the United Nation’s specialized agency, Nigeria provides SAR and Security Co-ordination in the waters of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe and Togo. She carries out these responsibilities besides policing her own territorial waters to ensure the safety of her maritime domain.

 

 

[This Day]