The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group, states.
The BAG Council of Ministers comprises ministers of transport and aviation from seven West African member states, namely Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
This was made public through a statement by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, on Thursday.
Moshood stated that Keyamo was appointed during the fourth meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers, held in Abuja.
The statement indicated that the special session was graced by the attendance of high-ranking delegates, including Minister of Transport, Cabo Verde, Dr Jose Luis Nogueira; Minister of Transport, The Gambia, Ebrima Sillah; and Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ghana, Joseph Nikpe.
Others were; Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Guinea; Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, Minister of Transport, Liberia, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, and Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone, Fanday Turay.
As chairman of the council of ministers, Keyamo would provide strategic leadership to the council in driving regional cooperation, harmonisation of aviation policies, and 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, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and recommended practices.
“The Abuja meeting also featured high-level discussions on shared air transport challenges, capacity building, infrastructure development, and regional air connectivity.
“The appointment of Minister Keyamo is expected to usher in a renewed era of dynamism and progress for BAG member states,” the statement added.
In another statement personally signed by Keyamo, he ascribed the development to the bold and innovative policies in the Nigeria’s aviation sector under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While appreciating his minister-colleagues, Keyamo applauded his predecessor, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Republic of Sierra Leone.
