The demands came on Wednesday when the House Committee on Delegated Legislation paid a familiarisation visit to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) headquarters in Abuja, where lawmakers held discussions with aviation regulators on regulation, consumer protection and the implementation of aviation laws.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Richard Bamishile, said the visit was aimed at deepening cooperation with the NCAA and gaining a clearer understanding of how the regulator develops and implements aviation regulations.
Bamishile, however, raised concerns over outstanding statutory remittances by airlines and called for legislative amendments that would empower the NCAA to deduct and remit applicable funds directly.
He said such an arrangement would strengthen regulatory compliance and prevent delays in the remittance of funds legally due to the aviation regulator.
The lawmakers also turned their attention to the recurring crisis of flight delays and cancellations, demanding explanations on why passengers continue to suffer disruptions and what measures are being deployed to prevent a repeat.
Hon. Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, a member of the Committee, specifically sought clarification on the persistent delays and cancellations that have continued to frustrate air travellers across the country.
Responding on behalf of the NCAA, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, attributed some of the previous disruptions to inadequate aircraft capacity.
According to him, the situation was particularly worsened when a single aircraft was deployed to service multiple routes, meaning that any technical or operational problem could trigger a chain reaction that left passengers stranded.
Achimugu said the NCAA was working to improve the situation, noting that more aircraft were being introduced through dry-lease arrangements.
He added that the Authority was also developing a system that would enable passengers affected by flight disruptions to be rebooked on alternative airlines, reducing the hardship caused by cancellations and prolonged delays.
Earlier, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, called for sustained engagement between the NCAA and the National Assembly to ensure that Nigeria’s aviation regulations remain effective, responsive and aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Najomo said the Civil Aviation Act 2022, Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 and other regulatory instruments provide the legal foundation for the NCAA’s responsibilities in aviation safety, security, economic regulation and consumer protection.
He stressed that continuous legislative and regulatory engagement was essential to keeping pace with developments in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
Responding to the Committee’s demand for legislative action, the NCAA Director of Legal Services, Mrs. Mary Tufano-Eche, disclosed that the review of the Civil Aviation Act had reached its final stages.
She said the review was being concluded in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and would undergo further updates before being presented to the National Assembly.
The engagement ended with both institutions agreeing to sustain consultations on delegated legislation, regulatory reforms and measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework.
The NCAA said the continued collaboration would ultimately help tighten oversight, improve airline compliance and strengthen protections for passengers who remain at the receiving end of persistent industry challenges.
