FG to split Transport Ministry

Shola Adekola, Lagos - 05.05.2008

One of the policies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in the aviation sector may be upturned next month as the Federal Government has concluded plans to split the ministry of transport.

According to information gathered by the Nigerian Tribune, the de-merger would subsequently lead to the total pull out of the Ministry of Aviation from the Ministry of Transport.

The decision to split the ministry of transport as currently constituted had been attributed to the too many crisis rocking the aviation sector in the recent past with the latest being the disappearance of a Beech Craft 1900D aircraft from the nation’s airspace since March 15.

It was also learnt that the unbundling became imperative following the pressure coming from the sector which was said needed absolute commitment from the minister.

According to sources, the government felt the current situation where the Minister of Transport, Diezani Alison-Madueke, oversees the aviation sector alongside rail and roads had made a mess of the aviation sector.

The sources added that the appointment of a transport minister and a mister of air transport had failed to yield dividend as it had only caused buck passing, a situation which has not given room for absolute responsibility in times of crisis and emergencies.

A particular reference was made of the back stage position taken by the minister of transport throughout the period the issue of the missing plane took a center stage.

The reinstatement of the ministry of aviation is to give opportunity to the minister in charge to take full authority and to enable government hold the minister responsible on any issue.