Mr Abel Enitan, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, says the adoption of automation in aviation industry will boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Enitan, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr David Awotunde, made the assertion during his opening remarks on Thursday in Abuja at the ninth edition of the Aviation Workers’ Week and Award Night.
The theme of the event is: “The Gains of an Automated Personnel Management System in the Aviation Sector”.
According to him, automation process by every standard, has become the norm in the contemporary world of business and governance.
“I had previewed the theme of this year`s event and found it worthy of consideration. This is in view of the importance of the subject of automation under focus.
“In consideration of the critical roles the aviation industry plays in the economy vis-a-vis the nation`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adopting the automation culture in our daily lives has become totally indispensable.
“I will like to reiterate that relevance of the theme for discussion by the professionals is most likely to change the perception of our workers and speedily embrace automation system in our various workplaces,“ Enitan said.
According to him, government`s recent stance on the need for a paperless work system and the launching of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy lends to the seriousness attached to issues of computerisation, digitalisation and automation.
Enitan said the ministry in conjunction with the unions, had taken the initiative to engage and sensitise all stakeholders in the six geo-political zones on the programme.
“The results, responses and reactions received from participants were quite overwhelming.
“It is hoped that deliberations among the team of professionals will bring to the fore the necessity to key into the automation system with a view to moving the aviation industry forward, “ he said.
In his welcome address, Comrade Hector Nnadi, Chairman, the Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council (JCNC), said the nation had realised countless potentialities of automation system in driving various sectors of an economy.
According to him, the trend has been on for some decades with countries moving further to other areas of digitisation.
Nnadi said the recent adoption of the National Policy on the subject and government`s emphasis and plans on change in working culture underscore the future of government and private business.
“The unions have resolved to push through the automation culture through series of activities which we hope will lead to total adoption of this concept with a view to attaining the status of global citizen.
“ We have been able to assemble a team of experts and professionals to deliberate on the theme and proffer the way forward.
Without much ado and on behalf of the JCNC and workers in the ministry, I wish to applaud the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and his management team for supporting this years event,“ the JCNC chairman said. (NAN)
