Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, has been appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) States.
His appointment was announced yesterday during the 4th Meeting of BAG Council of Ministers, held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
In a related development, Keyamo urged BAG member states to prioritise aviation infrastructure development and create a conducive environment to attract investments.
Speaking during the 4th Council of Ministers after the 18th Plenary Session of BAG in Abuja on Thursday, Keyamo said BAG member states should be prepared to make more concerted efforts for investments in the provision of infrastructure and facilities for safe, secure, environmentally friendly and sustainable civil aviation.
Keyamo attributed his appointment to President Bola Tinubu’s patriotic leadership, saying, “In recognition of our bold and innovative policies in the aviation sector under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a few hours ago, I was appointed as the new Chairman the West Africa Banjul Accord Group (BAG) by the Ministers of Transport/Aviation in the West African States.”
The group is made up of seven West African countries that signed the Banjul Accord on January 29, 2004.
It was founded to promote safe, efficient use and development of civil aviation within the member states, which included Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Keyamo’s appointment reinforced Nigeria’s leading role in improving air travel across West Africa.
Keyamo will take over the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers from the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Republic of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Fandey Turay.
BAG Council of Ministers comprises Ministers of Transport and Aviation from seven West African member states: Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The special session was attended by high-ranking delegates, including Dr. Jose Luis S.A. Nogueira – Minister of Transport, Cabo Verde, Hon. Ebrima Sillah – Minister of Transport, The Gambia, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe – Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ghana.
Others were Hon. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo – Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Guinea, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler – Minister of Transport, Liberia, and Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay – Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone.
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