Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has been appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the West Africa Banjul Accord Group (BAG) States.
His appointment was announced on Thursday, by the Minister of Transport and Aviation of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Fanday Turay, at the 4th meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“I am therefore honoured to hand over the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers to the Federal Rebublic of Nigeria, and to my brother, Honourable Minister, Festus Keyamo,” He said
According to Turay, “This transition comes at a pivotal time as we work towards finalising the institutionalisation of the BAG Secretariat and domestication of air services across our region.”
While responding, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo expressed Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring the instrumentality of enhanced air transport connectivity among BAG member states.
Role of New Chairman Of BAG
He is also to ensure the implementation of key initiatives aimed at enhancing air transport safety, efficiency, and development in the BAG region.
The Banjul Accord Group was established to foster sub-regional cooperation and collaboration in the development of safe and sustainable civil aviation systems in West Africa.
It is in line with International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.
The meeting also featured high-level discussions on shared air transport challenges, capacity building, infrastructure development, and regional air connectivity.
The appointment of Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, is however, expected to usher in a renewed era of dynamism and progress for BAG member states.
BAG Council Of Ministers
The BAG Council of Ministers comprises Ministers of Transport and Aviation from seven West African member states: Nigeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The special session had in attendance high-ranking delegates, including the Minister of Transport, Cape Verde; Dr Jose Luis S.A. Nogueira, the Minister of Transport, Gambia, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ghana. Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe
Others are the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Guinea, Hon. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the Minister of Transport, Liberia,Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler and the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone, Alhaji Fanday Turay.
