Why FG made changes at FAAN, NAMA — Official

The Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, in an interview with our correspondent, said new chief executive officers were appointed for the aviation agencies following the expiration of the tenures of office of the former occupants of the offices.

The managing directors of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, as well as the rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, were recently removed and replaced by the Federal Government.

Obi confirmed that the tenure of the former FAAN boss, Mr. Richard Aieseigbogun, would end this month and he had to proceed on terminal leave in accordance with civil service rules.

Similarly, he said the tenures of the erstwhile NAMA and NCAT bosses actually ended in April.

Obi said, "At the end of their tenures, the Federal Government needed to inject fresh blood and energy into the affected parastatals. There was the need to appoint people that would help the minister to drive her vision for the sector as well as the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

"Basically, the changes came as a result of the fact that all those who were relieved of their appointments had completed their tenures. Therefore, nobody was sacked."

"What happened was that their appointments were not renewed. Renewal of appointment or otherwise is at the discretion of the minister with the approval of the President as you are aware of," he added.

He said the Federal Government considered experience, expertise and seniority before deciding on new helmsmen for the agencies.

Obi said, "The new appointees are vastly experienced and professional experts in their own fields. Aviation is a technical field where care must be taken in appointing helmsmen of parastatals.

"Moreover, the newly-appointed heads were the most senior technical directors in line and it would have been unfair to sidetrack them and bring in outsiders, as this has the potential of undermining the spirit of the service."

He added that the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Odua, did not have any personal relationship with the new helmsmen before recommending them for the jobs.

Obi said the minister was interested in merit and fitness rather than primordial considerations in appointments, promotions and other decisions.