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SIXTH MEETING OF
DIRECTORS OF CIVIL AVIATION
AND AIRLINE EXECUTIVES OF
THE BANJUL ACCORD GROUP
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
16th – 17th OCTOBER 2002
SIXTH MEETING OF DIRECTORS OF CIVIL AVIATION AND AIRLINE
EXECUTIVES OF BANJUL ACCORD GROUP.
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA, 16 – 17 OCTOBER 2002
ORGANIZATION:
The above Meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation and Airline Executives was held
in Banjul from 16th – 17th October 2002.
PARTICIPANTS:
The following Member States participated:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- The Gambia
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea
The following Member States were absent:
- Cape Verde
- Liberia
The member Airlines, which participated, were:
- Ghana Airways
- Gambia International Airline
- Bellview Airlines
- Skypower Express Airline
- ADC Airlines
- Mahfooz Aviation
- Sierra National Airlines
The following member airlines were represented by Airline Operators of Nigeria
- Okada Airline `
- Oriental Airlines
- Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP LTD
- EAS
The following member airline was absent:
- TACV
The following were present as observers:
- AFCAC
- ICAO
- ECOWAS / CEMAC Project Unit
- US FAA
- Senegal CAA
- Air Senegal International
- Associated Airlines
- Aerogem Cargo Limited
The list of participants is attached as annex 1
OPENING
The Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Malick I M Cham,
delivered the welcome statement and extended a hospitable welcome to
delegates and wished them a successful meeting. He reminded delegates about
the objectives of the Banjul Accord central to which is the accelerated
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1988 and the Yamoussoukro
Decision of 1999 on the Liberalization of the Air Transport industry with the
ultimate objective of creating a single and common airspace in our sub-region.
He further expressed the hope that this 6th meeting will give the Accord the
opportunity to take stock of itself and to appraise its efforts towards the
realization of the set objectives.
Other speakers included ICAO’s Deputy Regional Director for Western and
Central Africa, Wing Cmdr Andy K Mensah, ECOWAS Project Director for Air
Transport Liberalization for West and Central Africa, Mr Mam Sait Jallow. The
detailed speeches are attached as appendices to this report.
The Honourable Secretary of State for the State Department of Works,
Construction and Infrastructure Edward D. Singhateh delivered the keynote
address. In his speech he gave the genesis of the Banjul Accord as a Group and
its main objective of fostering regional co-operation among aeronautical
authorities and airlines of the member states and to draw up a framework for
addressing regional and global development issues in the air transport industry
so as to meet the challenges of the future. The full text of the speech is given in
the appendices.
AGENDA ITEM 1: ELECTION OF BUREAU:
The bureau was elected as follows:
Chairman Gambia Mr. Malick I.M Cham
Vice Chairman Ghana Hon. K. Agyeman-Manu
1st Rapporteur Sierra Leone G. Gbon’Gbor
2nd Rapporteur Gambia Mr. A. E. Jammeh
Representative of Airlines Sky Power Express Capt. Mohammed Joji
AGENDA ITEM 2: ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
The draft agenda for the proceedings were amended and adopted as follows:
1. Election of Bureau
2. Adoption of Agenda
3. Status/Progress Report on the Implementation of Banjul Accord (by
Secretariat, various committees and individual countries and airline
representatives)
4. Air Transport Liberalization
5. Presentation by FAA on Ageing Aircraft Issues
6. Safety Oversight/Security
7. Airport and Route Facility Management
8. CNS/ATM
9. Review of the BAG Study and COSCAP project proposal for Safety
Oversight
10. Update on Banjul Accord Group Activities and Programmes – Conclusions
and Revision. (Financial Matters, Budgets, etc)
11. Any Other Business – Information Papers to be presented by AFCAC and
Senegal
12. Review and Adoption of Meeting Report
13. Signing of the Legal Instrument by the Transport Ministers of the Banjul
Accord Group.
AGENDA ITEM 3: STATUS REPORT ON BANJUL ACCORD
SECRETARIAT REPORT
The secretariat reported that the original spirit of setting up the Banjul Accord
Group which centers on the accelerated implementation of the Yamoussoukro
declaration on the liberalization of the air transport industry and the pooling of
resources to help less endowed members tap from the expertise available from
member countries still remains valid.
This led to the setting up and recognition of various centers for the effective
coordination of the groups activities such as the Secretariat based in the Gambia,
the Air Transport Centre Based in Nigeria, Safety Oversight/Security Centre
based in Ghana and CNS/ATM based in Cape Verde.
The recent achievements of the group include the revision of the action plan at a
consultative meeting held in Banjul in May 2002, the draft legal instrument,
multinational Air Transport Agreement, Budget and safety oversight regional co-
operation. The most pronounced achievement has been the Training of
Government Aviation Inspectors under the auspices of the Accord demonstrating
the high level of commitment to eliminate identified deficiencies in Aviation within
our States
COUNTRY REPORTS
Gambia:
The delegate from Gambia CAA informed the meeting that major progress
continued to be made under the Airport Improvement Project which is largely
financed by Kuwaiti Fund and BADEA. He reported that work has already started
on transforming the main airport access road into a dual carriage way and
mobilizations are underway to start the re-surfacing of the 3.6KM runway, the
expansion of the aircraft parking Apron to twice its present size, construction of
an additional taxiway and procurement of new Navigational Aids and additional
standby generator.
Gambia International Airline (GIA)
The delegate from Gambia International Airlines reported on the progress the
company continues to make in terms of investment and acquisition of equipment.
Recently the company purchased a high loader ground handling equipment from
FMC Corporation in the United States of America at the cost of D7 Million (Seven
million Dalasis) through a loan secured from Trust Bank Gambia Ltd.
As a passenger handling agent at Banjul International Airport the company has
also acquired a gate reader with a capability of reconciling passengers and
baggages checked-in at the cost of D113, 000 (One hundred and thirteen
thousand Dalasis). The equipment was purchased from IER in France and the
objective is to enhance efficiency at Banjul International Airport (BIA).
In the area of flight operations GIA reported a joint operations with Air Namibia
which started in December 2000 and served five point-to-point destinations in the
sub-region. This operations, however, ceased six months later when Air Namibia
opted out of the venture. At the moment the company charters an ATR 42 from
TACV as a replacement for the Air Namibia venture and is also co-operating with
Ghana Airways on the US route.
The future plans of Gambia International Airlines include augmenting ground
handling equipment and start operating much bigger equipment preferably using
Boeing 737-400 or 800 series.
Sierra Leone
The delegate from Sierra Leone reported that since his country’s return to
normalcy a number of programmes were initiated to improve the air transport
industry in that country. Recently a World Bank study conducted by an American
firm known as Booz Allen and Hamilton on aviation has submitted a final draft to
government for review and comments have been made on it. The final report is
expected in March 2003. The country secured World Bank support for a facelift of
infrastructure at Freetown International Airport, Lungi. Under the World Bank
Support Programme the airport has received assistance in the following areas:
1. Safety
a. New Precision runway and approach lighting system
b. Two major fire tenders
c. New ATC communication system
2. Security
a. Comprehensive CCTV monitoring system
b. New X-ray screening system
3. Facilitation
a. Expanded passenger processing areas
b. Improved passenger facilities
Sierra National Airlines
The Delegate from Sierra Leone reported that against all odds Sierra National
Airlines continues to operate flights to Banjul and London. In a further
development the airline has expressed intentions to fly to the United States and
the paperwork is being pursued with the FAA. In a related development SN
Brussels Airline has started flying into Freetown.
Guinee Express Air
The representative from Guinee Express Air reported that his airline is a private
sector initiative which came in the wake of the liquidation of Air Guinea. The
airline operates along side three order Guinea-based airlines namely Guinea
Paramount, Air Guinea Express and Union des Transport African.
Nigeria
In his report the delegate from Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority expressed his
country’s commitment to the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
Recently in March 2002 Nigeria hosted the first meeting of Directors General of
Civil Aviation of Western and Central African states in Abuja. Nigeria also
hosted, through the support of ICAO, a sub-regional meeting the objective of
which was to define and develop a common sub-regional Super-Regulations for
the region.
In other developments Nigeria went through its most recent ICAO audit in March
2002. The findings highlighted deficiencies which were similar to those observed
in most countries within the sub-region and remedial action plans have already
been put in place for implementation.
Nigeria also apprised the meeting of progress they have made with CNS/ATM
programme which was reported to be at an advanced stage. The report
mentioned the efforts made in bringing about cleaner and functional airports, the
numerous requests received from American carriers expressing interest to
operate to Nigeria under the open skies agreement and assumption of offices by
highly qualified and technically competent staff in key areas.
Airline Operators of Nigeria
The representative of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) informed the meeting
that currently 23 airlines are in existence in Nigeria out of which 22 are private
sector initiatives. These airlines operate a total of 55 aircraft which represent an
investment of about $750 million (Seven hundred and fifty million US Dollars).
The AON representative also expressed concern over limitations they face in
terms of capacity and frequency since emphasis has been shifted to the National
carrier and foreign airlines. He did not look at the Open Skies Agreement with
the United States favourably which in his view presents advantages to US based
airlines more than Nigerian airlines since it offers the former with unlimited
opportunities and frequencies. He made similar observations with regard to the
Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom which
too allow the designation of only one airline.
The AON representative also described Nigerian Government’s policy which
looks at the issue of one aircraft-airline operation unfavourably as both a
deviation and a contradiction. He contended that aircraft lessors would usually
require to know if operators have the capacity to clock say at least a minimum of
two thousand hours within a month and it is obvious that the kind of frequency
restrictions they face will render this impossible. He therefore enquired whether
it is valid to insist on having an operator operating more than one aircraft when it
(the operator) cannot fully utilize the capacity on even one aircraft.
Finally, the representative of Airline Operators in Nigeria (AON) wishes to recall
the unwarranted action taken by the Nigeria Ministry of Aviation in banning
aircrafts that are 22 years of age and above operating in the Nigerian Airspace.
The banning which came in the wake of EAS Airline accident of 4 th May 2002 in
Kanu, imposed other unnecessary punitive measures against the airlines. These
include but not limited to:-
Suspension of BAC1-11 Aircraft in Nigeria
Phasing out of BAC1-11 Aircraft from Nigeria airspace within six months
Banning of 22 year old aircraft in Nigeria
Aircraft bought and paid for before the 22 year old aircraft ban
One aircraft-airline operation.
See the attached annex as PERCIEVED DANGER IN THE SKY, INDUSTRY
OPINION.
The airline operators of Nigeria wish the Banjul Accord Group to officially take up
the matter with the Nigerian Government and the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja.
Ghana
The head of delegation reported that since the last meeting in Accra, Ghana
continued to make good progress on a number of fronts particularly in the area of
safety oversight. He reported that during the period under review Ghana CAA
created four audit units namely;. Aerodromes Audit, Air Traffic Services Audit,
Security Audit and Fire Service Audit units. These units were created in order to
ensure full compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices and
highly trained and competent personnel are being placed in charge of the units.
He reported that as part of their capacity building efforts three engineers have
been sent to pursue highly specialized training programmes in Scotland albeit at
a very high cost.
On other developments the delegate from Ghana reported progress made under
the $80 million Kotoka Airport Development Project. These developments
include the extension of the runway by 600 metres which enable wide-bodied
aircraft to operate at maximum payload, the refurbishment and extension of the
passenger terminal building, upgrading of Communication facilities and
Navigational Aids. The Airport and its new facilities are expected to be fully
operational by the turn of the year 2002.
He continued further to highlight that Kotoka International Airport takes center
stage in Ghana’s Gateway project which seeks to make Kotoka International
Airport the Gateway to the Sub-region
Ghana Airways:
The Delegate from Ghana Airways reported that events of 9/11 have
compounded the airline’s financial predicament. As a result, the airline has had
to scale down its operations by cutting down frequencies to some of its
destinations. Ghana Airways has suspended operations to Dubai and Beirut
and a number of code share arrangements. In conclusion the delegate
expressed the Government’s resolve to prevent the airline from going down
under, and continue flying.
AGENDA ITEM 4: Air Transport Liberalization
The ECOWAS Project Director for Air Transport Liberalization for Western and
Central Africa reported on the activities being coordinated at the project level to
give impetus to the implementation of the liberalization of the air transport
industry consistent with the provisions of the Yamoussoukro decision.
In particular he mentioned various regional studies recently completed. These
relate to harmonization of the legal and institutional framework, enhancement of
Safety Oversight, and Economic regulations, aimed at creating a conducive
environment for liberalization.
Delegates observed that though liberalization was central to the discussions and
the objectives of the Accord there has been little so far by way of implementation.
Private airline members were particularly not pleased with the principle of
designating national carriers at their expense and urged the group to take a more
pragmatic stance in opening up the market for full and unrestricted access for all
operators through liberalization within member states.
Attention of the meeting was drawn to the role of the ECOWAS Secretariat in
monitoring implementation of the Decision within the region and in particular the
designation of eligible airlines and granting of traffic rights. Airlines were urged to
bring to the Secretariat attention requests being made in this respect to enable
them facilitate the resolution of difficulties that may be encountered. This was
noted.
AGENDA ITEM 5: Ageing Aircraft
The delegate from FAA made a presentation on Ageing Aircraft Issues. The
topics touched on in the presentation included the FAA organization and the
relationships between the various segments, Worldwide Aircraft accident
statistics, the challenges of growth and keeping accident figures decreasing. The
presentation also cut across the identification of focus areas, partnership
between industry and government on safety enhancement issues, ageing aircraft
structures and the systems developed to deal with the issue and aging aircraft
systems.
The presentation also touched on the partnership between the FAA and the
Banjul Accord, but the delegates wanted this to be spelt out in more specific
terms particularly in the form of technical assistance to the group.
AGENDA ITEM 6: Safety Oversight/Security
The center responsible for Safety Oversight/Security, Ghana, delivered a paper
on progress made in the area. Apart from the technical co-operation with the
Gambia within the spirit of the Banjul Accord, not much was reported from the
perspective of regional co-operation. The report focused on the process Ghana
went through to achieve FAA category 1 rating and the advantages this brought
for the aviation industry in Ghana.
The delegates, however, observed that though it was good that individual States
have made giant strides in the area of safety oversight/security it was still
important to coordinate efforts at a sub-regional level which Ghana is expected to
spearhead as the center responsible for such matters.
AGENDA ITEM 7 & 8: Airport and Route Facility Management/ CNS/ATM
These two agenda items were combined and presented by the Secretariat. The
issues discussed were:
1. The expansion of the universal safety oversight audit programme to
include Air Traffic Services (annex 11) and Aerodromes (annex14) of the
Chicago Convention. The programme should commence by January 2004
2. In view of the increasing privatization, particularly with respect to
aerodromes and air traffic services, safety oversight is essential and the
responsibility should be resident with the CAAs. It is believed that the
expansion of the audit programme to these areas will encourage the
development and promulgation of national legislation while enhancing the
capability of the State for safety.
3. The three areas for an initial audit would be regulatory provisions (with a
flexible approach on the issue of aerodrome certification); organizational
structure; and implementation of Annex 14 – Aerodrome and related
manuals, as appropriate.
Agenda Item 9: Review of BAG Project Proposal
The ECOWAS Project Director reported on the safety oversight study which was
conducted by ICAO in five out of the seven member States of the Accord and
Sao Tome. This was completed in July 2002. The study report had been
circulated at the end of July to States concerned and comments were received
from all countries except Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana. Comments received
applauded the initiative and expressed commitment to participate in the regional
effort of addressing safety oversight issues affecting individual states as well as
the region as a whole.
The findings of the report highlighted the following:
1. That State regulations are not homogenous in the execution of
Safety Oversight functions.
2. That few States have sufficient qualified inspectors
3. That few States have developed manuals and procedures
4. That three out of six states need to develop modern basic aviation
regulations
5. That inspection programmes varied between states from being non-
existent to reasonable
6. That training was scarce and limited in all but 3 States.
7. That only 2 of the States have sufficient aeronautical activity to
assure retention of or increase in technical expertise for a limited
period.
The Following Recommendations were made:
1. That the Group employs the services of international safety experts
together with a number of regional inspectors to harmonize
regulations, conduct training, and inspection.
2. That the group to consider adopting the ICAO COSCAP approach
3. That it be impress on governments to increase support for air
transport and civil aviation
4. That harmonization of regulations, aviation legislation, Safety
Oversight policies, procedure and practices be carried out;
5. To identify two qualified accident investigators in the region and put
them to the service of member states; and
6. That a policy be adopted for phasing out of use, non type
certificated aircraft
The last recommendation was a subject of debate arising from arguments put
forward by two of the most affected states (Guinea and Sierra Leone) with
regards to the use of “non-type certificated aircraft”.
Further to the study ICAO (Technical Co-operation Bureau) drew up a draft
project proposal which was distributed to states in July 2002. No reaction has
been received so far. This proposal was specifically targeted to the Banjul Accord
Group with an estimated budget of $2.2 million for a duration of 2 years.
This will be in two phases:
1. Develop pilot project for BAG
2. Establish Banjul Accord Aviation Safety Organization to address
deficiencies of member states
The meeting was informed that ICAO is mobilizing funding and what is required
at this stage is to get reaction from the group to formalize procedures and to look
at the recommendations the studies presented.
The Banjul Accord Secretariat is to co-ordinate with member states and provide a
formal expression of interest in the implementation of the recommendations and
the COSCAP project proposal.
Agenda Item 10: Update of the Banjul Accord Group Activities
A sub-committee was formed to review the action plan because it was felt that
the Secretariat had not been able to effectively coordinate the activities of the
group. The sub-committee presented a report with proposals which were adopted
as follows:
- To setup a full time and functional Secretariat;
- To employ a Secretary with necessary support staff to man the
Secretariat;
- To put on hold the review of airline contributions.
A new table of action plan was also presented and is attached to this report.
Financial Matters
A complete budget could not be presented. However outstanding financial
contributions of aeronautical authorities, state agencies and airlines was
presented and member states were urged to pay up their contributions. The
secretariat was advised to prepare invoices for the various members to the
different agencies for accounting purposes.
Finally Sierra Leone was assigned to Audit the Group’s financial statement to be
prepared by the Secretariat for presentation and approval at the next meeting.
Agenda Item 11: Any Other Business
The representative from AFCAC circulated an information paper under the title
ICAO/AFCAC Joint Preparatory Seminar to Air Transport Conference/5. The
conference will be held in Arusha, Tanzania 5 – 7 November 2002 and the
agenda is to prepare a common position of African states on liberalization before
the Worldwide Air Transport Conference in Montreal on 25 th - 29th March 2003.
This conference is held once in every ten years.
Senegal informed the meeting of the creation of an African and Malagasy
Authorities of Member States Civil Aviation by ASECNA in December 2001
(AAMAC). Initially this was created to address issues of safety oversight in the
ASECNA member states.
Other airlines including the Nigerians Private Airlines complained about the
differential charges imposed by the Gambia International Airlines (GIA) on
handling of member airlines. Specifically, handling charges based on
configuration of aircraft rather than weight factor. The airlines also complained of
the excessive charges of services provided by ASECNA.
The airlines expressed that if most of these charges are reduced to manageable
proportion, the airfare charges along the sub region will be drastically reduced.
The Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) expressed concern
about the ban of 22-year-old aircraft in Nigeria. It was agreed that AON should
furnish the Banjul Accord Group with a copy of a proposed petition, they intend to
submit to the ECOWAS Secretariat to enable the Banjul Accord Group consider
the issue at their next meeting.
Agenda Item 13: Signing of the Draft Legal Instrument
The document had not been finalized and, therefore, it was not feasible to sign
the instrument at this stage. It was agreed that the document should be
circulated to all member states for comments and necessary amendments.
However following the observations made by ECOWAS Project Director for the
implementation of Air Transport Liberalization, it was agreed that the following
concerns be addressed in the final draft and submitted to all Member States for
comments and final approval before signing so as to ensure consistency
between the Banjul Accord Legal Document and the Yamoussoukro Decision::
1. Restrictions imposed on the fifth freedom traffic should be removed
2. Removal of the limitation of two airline designation
3. Removal of the approval of tariff
4. Unlimited frequencies should be allowed
5. That in addition to scheduled services, non-scheduled operations
be explicitly granted the liberal rights expressed in the Decision.
6. No restriction of capacity
7. The concept of multinational carrier should be reflected in the
Accord
8. By monitoring mechanism for the activities of the accord should be
made
Not withstanding the fact that the document had not been formally signed
because of the observations listed above the meeting has resolved to live by the
tenets of the agreement and the provisions of the Yamoussoukro Decision which
is now fully binding.
CLOSING
The closing remarks were delivered by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the
Department of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Mrs Fatoumata
Sidibeh. The full text of the speech is given in the appendixes.
DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The date and venue of the next meeting of the Banjul Accord will be determined
at a later date after consultation amongst members.
APPENDIX 1
LIST OF DELEGATES
NAME ORGANISATION/POSITION TELEPHONE FAX E-MAIL
GAMBIA
(220) 472831
Mr Malick I M Cham Director General, GCAA 965596 (220) 472190 dggcaa@qanet.gm
751751
Mr Claude Jensen Deputy Director General, GCAA (220) 472880 (220) 472190 cjensen@qanet.gm
Director of Flight Safety Standards,
Mr Paul Bass Jr. (220) 472839 (220) 472839 pbass@hotmail.com
GCAA
Flight Safety Manager (Operations),
Mr Kebba Lamin Jammeh (220) 472683/902053 (220) 472839/472190 kebbalamin@hotmail.com
GCAA
Mr Sulayman Njie Gambia International Airlines (220) 921722 / 472748 (220) 472750 Saulnjie27@hotmail.com
Mr Zak Ceesay Gambia International Airlines (220) 901885 / 472756 (220) 472756 zceesay@hotmail.com
(220) 396724
Mr Mohammed B. Jagne Mahfooz Aviation 396740 (220) 396722 narr@gamtel.gm
396710/396742
Mr. Saleh Fulais Mahfooz Aviation (966) 2 6510550 (966) 2 6510796 technical@mahfoozaviation.com
agroair@gamtel.gm
Mr Malamin Bojang Agro Air Services (220) 393388/393389 (220) 391333
Mr Musa Baldeh ipctravel@qanet.gm
Afrik Air Links (220) 375613 (220) 375598
GHANA
Deputy Minister of Road and
Hon K Agyeman-Manu (233) 21 663433 (233) 21 667117 kmanagye@netscape.net
Transport
Head International Relations &
Mr Fred Taylor (233) 21 772738 (233) 21 773316 fredtyh@yahoo.
Alliances
Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Safety
Mr Emmanuel Effa Manfo (233) 21 776995 (233) 21 776995
Regulation
Deputy Director General (Finance &
Mr Nii Adumansa-Baddoo (233) 21 776079 (233) 21 773293 df-gcaa@ighmail.com
Admin), – Ghana CAA
Director, Legal Services Ghana joy_a_thompson@yahoo.com
Joyce Thompson (Mrs) (233) 21 773464 (233) 21 773293
Civil Aviation Authority dls-gcaa@ighmail.com
(233) 21 772256
Mr Tim Pappoe Aerogem Cargo Ltd (233) 21 771921 aerogem@hotmail.com
(223) 21 771921
Dep. Head, Legal Services /
Mary N Nkrumah Board Secretary, Ghana (233) 21 768588 (233) 21 773316
Airways
Station Manager (Gambia),
James Fokuo
Ghana Airways
SIERA LEONE
Deputy Minister of Transport &
Mr Pascal Egbenda (232) 22 223412 p_egbenda@yahoo.com
Communications
Mr George Gbon’gbor Ag. Director of Civil Aviation, (232) 22 222106 (232) 22 22106
Mr Donald C. O. Bull Sierra Leone Airports Authority (232) 22 223881 (232) 22 224439
Mr Ahmed S. B. Wurie Sierra National Airlines (232) 22 225532 (232) 22 222026 sna@sierratel.sl
NIGERIA
Eng. Alex Ajuyah Nigeria CAA (234) 1 773 9628 (234) 1 4930029 alexajuyah@yahoo.com
Kola B. Ogunyele Nigeria CAA (234) 1 4931597 (234) 1 4931597 kbogunyele@yahoo.com
Mr. Gabriel Olowo Bellview Airlines (234) 1 4979833 (234) 1 4974750 gabriel@flybellview.com
Mr Daramola M O ADC Airlines (234) 1 4962657 (234) 1 4970086 adcairlines@betalinkserve.com
Secretary General AON (Skypower
Captain Mohammed Joji (234) 1 2693275/6 (234) 1 2693253 skypower@micro.com.ng
Express)
(234) 1 4960360 /
Eng Ayo Orenuga Associated Airlines (234) 1 496036 assoair@alpha linkserve.com
08023077701
GUINEA
El Hajj Ousman Camara Guinea Express Air (224) 423209 ousca@caramail.com
ECOWAS
Project Director, Air Transport
Mr Mam Sait Jallow Liberalisation, ECOWAS Secretariat, (234) 9314 3289 (234) 9314 3289 mjallow@ecowasmail.net
Abuja
ICAO
Deputy Regional Director,
Wg. Cdr. Andy Mensah (221) 8399369 amensah@icao.sn
ICAO
AFCAC
Mr Boubacar Djibo
AFCAC Regional Air (221) 8399395 (221) 8232661 bdjibo@netcourrier.com
Transport Officer
US FAA
Edward Jones Senior Representative (221) 8236753 (221) 8239286 ed.Jones@faa.gov
Paul Feldman
Director, Europe, Africa & 322 508 2700 322 230 0642 Paul.Feldman@faa.gov
Middle East
Manager, Brussels Aircraft
Thomas Boudreau 322 508 2713 Thomas.boudreau@faa.gov
Certification Staff
SENEGAL
Head of Air Transport Division Civil
Mbengue Papa Issa (221) 8695335 (221) 8203967 daviacivile@sentoo.sn
Aviation Authority
Paul Edouard Sarr Air Senegal International 202118
APPENDIX 2
SPEECH BY MALICK I.M. CHAM, DIRECTOR GENERAL, GCAA AT THE
6TH MEETING OF DIRECTORS OF CIVIL AVIATION AND AIRLINE EXECUTIVES
OF THE BANJUL ACCORD GROUP,
BANJUL, 16th – 17th OCTOBER 2002
Hon. SOS, Department of State for Works, Construction & Infrastructure, Hon.
Edward Singhateh
Hon. Secretaries of State
Hon. Deputy Ministers of Transport from the Banjul Accord Group
Venerable Religious Leaders
Chairman Board of Directors, GCAA and Board Members
Directors of Civil Aviation and Airline Executives
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with greatest pleasure that I welcome you all to the 6th Meeting of Directors of
Civil Aviation and Airline Executives of West African States. On behalf of the
Republic of the Gambia and the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, a very warm
welcome to Banjul to this important meeting especially to our foreign delegates.
As you are aware, we are assembling here once again, to follow up on the
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration. It would also be recalled that
several meetings have been held to look at the issues arising in order to translate our
collective commitment and objectives as set out in Yamoussoukro by our ministers in
1988, in order to enable us achieve tangible and practical realities.
This current meeting is aimed at fostering closer cooperation among states in the
sub-region, and I believe it will also cement our relations. At the ministerial meeting
held in Yamoussoukro in December 1996 specific deadlines were set for the granting
of the 3rd, 4th and 5th traffic rights in the sub-region. Also at the initial meetings in
Banjul in April 1997 recommended guidelines were set to assist states in granting
without any restrictions, the 3rd and 4th traffic rights within the ECOWAS sub-region
by 1st May 1997 and in addition, grant 5th freedom traffic rights within the region by 1st
November 1997. These recommendations were indeed consistent with the
guidelines set out at the meeting in Yamoussoukro in December 1996.
Over the next two days, this meeting convened, will afford us the opportunity to audit
our respective efforts. It is gratifying to inform the meeting that series of bilateral
consultations and interactions have taken place with the active participation of the
African civil aviation commission (AFCAC) Secretariat and the regional bureau of the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Dakar to broaden and consolidate
the membership of the Banjul Accord Group. In this regard, I would like to take this
opportunity to officially welcome our Sister francophone states from Senegal. Others
have expressed interest in becoming members of the Group with an Observer status
initially.
Hon. Secretaries Of State, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, all other
protocols observed, deliberations of this meeting and our activities is envisaged to be
fully action oriented and I hope in reviewing the progress made so far we will fully
chart out actions with precise work plan and specific targets to assist us translate our
objectives and commitments to concrete realities.
In conclusion, I want to thank the Hon. SOS for Works, Communication and
Infrastructure for his continued support and encouragement in all our efforts to
achieve our objectives, and actions in the implementation of the Yamoussoukro
Decision and the Banjul Accord and also to the Government of the Republic of The
Gambia for agreeing to host the 6th Meeting of the Directors of Civil Aviation and
Airline Executives of ECOWAS States in Banjul.
Thank you for your kind attention.
APPENDIX 3
STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE EDWARD D. SINGHATEY, SECRETARY OF
STATE FOR WORKS, CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT AT THE OPENING OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE BANJUL
ACCORD GROUP
BANJUL 16 - 17 OCTOBER 2002
Mr. Chairman
Hon. Deputy Ministers of Member States of the Banjul Accord Group
Representative of the FAA
Directors General of Civil Aviation and Airline Executives of the Banjul Accord Group
Venerable Religious Leaders
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of his Excellency the President of the
Republic, Dr. Alhaji Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, the Government and People of the
Gambia, to extend a warm welcome to the participants from all six-member countries
of the Banjul Accord Group present here this morning. Having said that, I would also
wish to offer my apologies for the fact that, due to some pressing affairs of state, this
meeting could not have started yesterday, as programmed.
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me to recapitulate the activities that led to the creation of the Banjul Accord
Group. In 1997, the civil aviation administrations and airlines began a consultative
process whose goal was to foster cooperation in accelerating the liberalization of air
transport services, the exchange of traffic rights, and the development of a regional
approach in enhancing flight safety and security, as outlined in the Yamoussoukro
Declaration of 1988.
The Yamoussoukro Declaration for the liberalization and integration of air transport
markets in Africa recognized the need and called for technical compliance in terms of
flight safety and aviation security.
Mr. Chairman,
Just as the ICAO air transport policy on economic regulation delegates’ responsibility
for implementation of liberalization to regions, so do sub-regional efforts complement
the initiatives taken at the continental and regional level. In relation to
Yamoussoukro, the formation of such groupings among like-minded African States
grew out of a strong will to implement the Declaration. The Banjul Accord Group,
comprising the civil aviation authorities and airlines of Cape Verde, The Gambia,
Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, is one such grouping in the West
Africa sub-region.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
The main objective of the Group is, as I have stressed earlier, to foster cooperation
among the aeronautical authorities and airlines of the member states, and to draw up
a framework for addressing regional and global development issues in the air
transport industry so as to meet the challenges of the future. Thus, in addition to
eliminating the red tape normally associated with the exchange of traffic rights,
encouraging member airlines to enter into commercial arrangements for increased
efficiency and effectiveness, creating a pool of expert skills and services particularly
in the areas of airworthiness and flight operations, the Banjul Accord Group is taking
steps to harmonize civil aviation regulations and bilateral air services agreements.
Opening up access to markets both within and outside Africa is imperative as a
condition for development of air transport, improvement of the quality of service, and
as an engine of economic development for the African continent. But, of course,
liberation initiatives, coupled with adequate and effective oversight, involve huge
resource outlays. The investment requirements in this regard seem to outweigh
resource availability in most African countries. This is why it is imperative that
resources for this purpose should be pooled on a regional basis.
A lot has been achieved since the inception of the Banjul Accord. Some of these
achievements will be reported on by
In relation to Yamoussoukro, proliferation of such formations has grown amongst
like-minded African States out of a heightened will to implement the Declaration and
Decision. Banjul Accord for the Accelerated Implementation of the Yamoussoukro
Declaration is one such grouping in West Africa.
Presently, the Group comprises Aviation Authorities and Airlines from seven West
African States namely: Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and
Sierra Leone.
The Gambia has been serving as Secretariat for the group, Cape Verde, Ghana and
Nigeria are the centers for Air Traffic Management, Flight Safety and Aviation
Security and Air Transport matters respectively.
The main objective of the Group is to foster cooperation among the aeronautical
authorities and airlines of the states and to draw up a framework in addressing
regional and global development needs in the air transport industry so as to meet the
challenges of the future. In addition to eliminating the ‘red tape’ normally associated
with the exchange of traffic rights; encouraging member airlines to enter into
commercial arrangements for increased efficiency and effectiveness; pooling of
expert skills and services particularly in the area of airworthiness and flight
operations, steps have been taken to harmonize of Civil Aviation Regulations and Bi-
lateral Air Service Agreements.
Opening up of access to markets both inter and intra Africa, is imperative as a
condition for development of air transport, improvement of quality of service and as
an engine of economic development for the continent as whole.
A meaningful initiative such as liberalization coupled with adequate and effective
oversight, calls for huge resources. The investment requirement in this regard seem
to out weigh the resources available to most individual African countries. It is
therefore urgent that resources and funds are mobilized on a regional basis for this
purpose.
A lot has been achieved since the inception of Banjul Accord. Some of those
achievements will be reported on by the various centers during the course of the
deliberations of this meeting. One such achievement worth mentioning is the
Government Aviation Safety Inspectors’ Course organized in Banjul in April 2001.
Mr. Chairman
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Allow me, once again, to welcome our distinguished guests to The Gambia, and to
wish you very fruitful deliberation during the course of your meeting.
I thank you for your kind attention.
APPENDIX 4
SPEECH BY WING COMMANDER ANDY MENSAH, ICAO DEPUTY REGIONAL
DIRECTOR, AT THE 6TH MEETING OF THE BANJUL ACCORD GROUP.
BANJUL, 16 – 17 OCTOBER 2002
Hon Minister
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am pleased to be here and also to participate in this very timely meeting. I am also
happy that this forum has given me the opportunity to meet former colleagues.
Hon Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the ICAO Regional Director, Mr
Cheiffou, let me express the Regional Office’s appreciation for the holding of this
Banjul Accord Meeting. The noble objectives of the Banjul Accord Group are still
pertinent today as they were some five years ago when the Accord was initiated. It
becomes even more pertinent when the continued existence of the Banjul Accord
Group and Agreement are viewed against the background of the unfortunate demise
of Air Afrique but on the other hand the good news that the Yamoussoukro Decision
has eventually become fully implemented since 12th August 2002.
Again, when we superimpose the air transport segment of the NEPAD (New
Partnership for African Development) in the aforementioned scenario, then one
cannot only commend you, the Accord partners, for having had this vision but also to
encourage you to make progress with more haste in actualising all the objectives in
the Banjul Agreement in order to redress the serious void created by the in-operation
of the erstwhile dominant operator, Air Afrique, in this sub region.
There is no argument Ladies and Gentlemen, about how difficult ad expensive air
travels have become in this West African sub-region in particular, whether intra sub-
regional travels or on the north/south route or vive-versa. They are comparatively too
expensive and circuitous. Travels from one sub-regional African State to another via
Europe is in itself an indictment on African States.
It is sad that a region that has such a low GDP should pay such high airfares and
passengers compelled to stay overnight in transit as additional cost because of poor
or non existent interline airline connections.
As you move to liberalise air services, be very mindful to ensure a high level of flight
safety and security and effective inter connectivity of your networks.
The current trend whereby airlines are flying 15 – 20 minutes after each other on the
same route and on the same day whilst at times without flights on some days does
not augur well for cost effective airline operations or passengers convenience.
Competition and especially among airlines is good and even better for passengers.
However, undue and unbridled competition could be disastrous to the viability of the
same airlines. Therefore, the need for the airlines to avoid over capacity on the sub-
regional routes cannot be overstated.
Over the last 3 years the ICAO Regional Officer has embarked on vigorous
programmes to train flight oversight Inspectors and AVSEC Officers with the aim of
creating a pool of Inspectors that could go across borders to assist States within the
Western and Central African Sub-Region to which the IACO Dakar office is
accredited. The Regional Office is pleased to note that the level of safety awareness
and posture in the sub region have increased appreciably over recent years.
The ICAO Regional Office will therefore like to appeal to States to volunteer to host
these safety and AVSEC Seminars in order to accelerate these programmes in
making the entire sub-region and not few States a CAT 1 safety region. You might
think it is impossible but I can assure you that with my brief working experience with
the Regional Office, I believe this is achievable if you the technicians show more
commitment to this vision and obligation to the travel populace. I am reiterating this
point of commitment on the part of DCAs/DGGCAAs because I am the coordinator of
the ICAO Regional Office programmes and budget for both Mission to WACAF
States and the Meeting/Seminars. What I have observed is that when ICAO
Regional Office plans its Missions to States and letters are sent to the respective
States, invariably we either do not get acknowledgement let alone a reply indicating
“yes” or “no”. And sometimes when we do get a response, it is an indefinite
postponement of the Mission which is primarily designed to assist and NOT audit
States.
I stress that ICAO visits are missions to assist States and not so much an audit,
which some DCAs/DGCAAs are afraid of. Indeed it is most unfortunate that each
year the Regional Office returns funds to ICAO HQ because beneficiary States failed
to host ICAO Missions. The ICAO Regional Office is therefore looking forward for a
change in this regard.
Hon Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, once again on behalf of the ICAO Regional
Director, for Western and Central African Region, let me thank you for the invitation
extended to ICAO and also wish this meeting, the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority
and the State of The Gambia all the best of success (God Bless).
APPENDIX 6
CLOSING REMARKS BY MRS FATOUMATA SIDIBEH, DEPUTY PERMANENT
SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR WORKS, CONSTRUCTION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, AT THE 6TH MEETING OF THE BANJUL ACCORD GROUP
BANJUL, 16TH – 17TH OCTOBER 2002
Hon. Deputy Ministers of Transport from the Banjul Accord Group of States
ICAO Deputy Regional Director,
AFCAC Rep.
FAA Rep.
Directors of Civil Aviation And Airline Executives
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted that this important meeting has taken place in Banjul and I would like
to express my gratitude to you all for having made it to the meeting. Though the
Nigerian Government and Guinean Delegates arrived late, it is better late than never,
for it is important that you made it too. For Countries like Liberia and Cape Verde,
which could not send in Delegates, we hope that they will be able to make it next
time and please communicate the outcome of the deliberations to them.
I have no doubt that the deliberations have been conducted in an open and amicable
environment and that fruitful resolutions have been formulated. It is my fervent hope
that you will show more commitment to your obligations so that these resolutions can
be implemented in accordance with the action plan drawn up and should not just be
shelved only to gather dust.
Though liberalization of Air transport is being envisaged, we should not lose sight of
the safety and security aspects, which should go hand in hand with liberalization.
Since it is almost practically impossible for any one state to harbour expertise in
every discipline of safety oversight capacities, pooling of resources as enshrined in
the objectives of the Group, will be an appropriate means of addressing our individual
deficiencies. We should therefore leave no stone unturned in our endeavours to
achieving this goal.
Mr. Chairman,
Though the group has achieved a lot since its inception, all efforts should be made to
leave no room for complacency. We must forge ahead to achieving our objectives in
entirety. We should therefore pull along, those who may be going at a slower pace
and bring them on board, and we must remember that the success of the Group will
not be measured by progress made by individual member states, rather, the
collective progress and achievement registered by the group as a whole.
I hope that the delegates from our sister countries have enjoyed their stay in The
Gambia and I would like to seize this opportunity to invite you back to our beloved
country, the smiling coast of Africa, on holiday when you would have sufficient time to
see more places of interest and enjoy more of Gambian hospitality.
On behalf of the Government and the people of The Gambia, we wish you a safe
return to your respective countries and urge you to maintain the bond of brotherhood
under the context of the Banjul Accord.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I declare this meeting closed.
I thank you all for your attention and I say bon voyage.
