One of the key objectives of ECOWAS Vision 2020 is to put in place a coherent, safe, orderly, efficient and affordable air transport system for the region for integration into the international air transport market, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Ebrima Njie has affirmed.
Speaking at the opening of a regional seminar on civil aviation in Niamey, Niger on 27th August 2013, the Commissioner said that pursuant to this goal, the region is determined to tackle terrorist threats which pose serious danger not only to aviation activities, particularly the security of passengers, crews and the population, but also to tourism and trade, and by extension, free movement of persons and goods as well as sustainable development of national economies.
The seminar, jointly organised by ECOWAS and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is discussing Man-Portable Air Defence Systems or MANPADS, which pose significant threat to West Africa going by the growing number of terrorist activities against individuals, facilities and goods in the region in recent times.
Njie recalled the directive given to the ECOWAS Commission by regional leaders for the coordination of different air transport policies, programmes and projects of Member States.
In the speech read on his behalf by Paul Ganemtore, Director of Air Transport, the Commissioner noted that “although the legal instruments existing in ECOWAS are adequate and comply with ICAO standards, they are inappropriate to address the new challenges posed by terrorist groups like AQMI (AL Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb), MUJAO (Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa) and Boko Haram.
Niger’s Minister of Transport, Saley Saibou, who chaired the opening ceremony, said the main objective of the seminar was to assist ECOWAS Member States put in place appropriate measures to protect civil aviation against terrorist attacks perpetrated with the use of improvised explosive devices.
Referring to the terrorist attacks on Niger last May and June, Mr. Saibou said: “this phenomenon absolutely unknown to the West African region has become an inescapable reality, a real nightmare that compounds the volatile situation of our countries already confronting critical development issues such as health, education, and the fight against hunger.”
The Minister further informed the participants from ECOWAS Member States, as well as Algeria, Cameroon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Chad, that several attempted terrorist attacks against public facilities, including airports and towns, have been foiled in his country thanks to the vigilance of the defence and security forces with the support of the intelligence services.
Directors General of civil aviation, police, intelligence services, gendarmerie, as well as representatives of airline companies, airport management companies, air navigation service providers, as well as sub-regional, regional and international organizations, donors and partners are attending the meeting, which is expected to make recommendations and develop an action plan against Man-Portable Air Defence Systems.
The three-day seminar is expected to stimulate capacity building for civil aviation authorities as well as engender a major improvement in the preparedness of countries against threats posed by suspected terrorist groups in the region.
The expected outcomes include strengthening the implementation of policies adopted by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, particularly the Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunitions and other related Materials, signed in June 2006.
