Posted by From Cletus Akwaya in Abuja on
Minister for Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has said the Federal Government in 2004, granted a total of 66 licenses to individuals and corporate bodies wishing to undertake different kinds of aviation business.
Minister for Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has said the Federal Government in 2004, granted a total of 66 licenses to individuals and corporate bodies wishing to undertake different kinds of aviation business.
Of the licenses, seven were Air Transport Licenses (ATL), to enable prospective companies import aircraft and 32 Air Travel Organisers' Licenses(ATOL) to enable prospective companies offer charter services to the public.
Also, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has said it was targeting $23 million (about N3.05 billion) as revenue this year, from additional flight frequencies allocated to foreign Airlines outside their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Yuguda, who disclosed this during his Ministerial press briefing in Abuja at the weekend, said four Air Operator Permits were also issued to enable beneficiaries operate their aircraft. 21 approvals, he said, were issued for importation of helicopters and aircraft.
"These statistics are significant, because they illustrate growth and expansion of the domestic aviation industry. The licenses have enabled their holders to generate revenue, create wealth, provide employment for the populace and serve as indices for measuring economic growth and development," he said.
Yuguda said revenue from additional flight frequencies would be from royalties paid by foreign airlines, explaining that additional frequencies were designed to take advantage of the surge in the demand for air travel, since the return of democracy in 1999.
The Ministry, together with parastatals in the aviation industry, realised N27.3 billion last year, and has proposed a budget of N6 billion for both its recurrent and capital expenditure this year.
He said the N27.3 billion generated by the Ministry as revenue in 2004 was paid to the Sub-Treasurer of the Federation, with monthly returns up to November, made to the Accountant Generatl of the Federation and Sub-Treasurer, in line with extant financial regulations.
"From its monthly allocation, the Ministry has been able to regularly pay its staff salaries, gratuities, monetisation benefits, as well as ensured payment of relocation allowances for transferred staff from Lagos,' he said.