Nosa Aituamen
The Director General, Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, says, board of directors play a critical role in the agency’s corporate governance, providing strategic direction, overseeing management, and making key decisions.
Speaking at a 2-day Corporate Governance and Board Management Seminar organized by NCAA’s Directorate of Legal Services (DLS) in Lagos, Captain Najomo noted that the presence of a board is essential for the proper running of the agency, adding that he has committed to self-auditing himself to ensure compliance with statutory regulations.
The seminar, which comes at a crucial time with the recent inauguration of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), aims to enhance regulatory oversight and improve Nigeria’s civil aviation industry.
Captain Najomo explained that the responsibilities of the NCAA Board extend beyond mere supervision, including ensuring compliance with statutory regulations.
He emphasized the importance of a clear corporate governance framework to support Board members in discharging their statutory duties effectively.
The NCAA DG also highlighted the legal foundation of the agency, tracing back to Decree No. 49 of 1999, which has since evolved into the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
He noted that the Act defines the functions, powers, and responsibilities of the Authority, including the establishment of its governing Board.
The DGCA therefore called on the seminar’s consultants to dissect the Act’s provisions and ensure a seamless synergy between the Board and NCAA Management.
He urged participants to engage in meaningful deliberations that would strengthen the NCAA’s governance structure.
“I expect today’s discussions to highlight areas of mutual cooperation while mitigating potential conflicts through realistic solutions”.
The NCAA Director of Legal and Company Secretary, Mary Tufano-Eche, drew attention to the importance of corporate governance, stating that regulatory bodies must be ready to enforce regulations.
“The regulatory bodies in the sector must be ready to enforce regulations. We are refreshing ourselves to remind ourselves of our responsibilities knowing very well that corporate governance is about rules, laws, procedures and policies.”
The seminar provided a platform for senior-level officers, consultants, and other aviation stakeholders to discuss and strengthen the NCAA’s governance structure, ultimately contributing to a safer, more secure, economically viable, and customer-centric aviation sector in Nigeria.