MANAGING Director of Finchglow Group, Bankole Bernard has again reiterated the need for a central data system to provide information that can be relied on from one source instead of multiple sources as the case currently is now.
This is just as he has said that for there to be sustainable policies, emphasis cannot be placed enough on implementation of existing policies.
Mr. Bernard made this known last week at the red carpet interviews of 25th Annual Conference of the League of Airport & Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), with theme, Nigeria’s Aviation Industry: Management, Policy & Regulation.
The Finchglow boss as over the years made consistent calls for a central data system which he believes would help the industry plan and collaborate better here in Nigeria.
He said,” For there to be a meaningful collaboration, we need to have a central data system. With that I can rely on information coming from one agency to another. But when you look at it, we have a disintegrated system as it were.
“Until we integrate the system to a point that we all know that the information that I am getting is factual, then we will not move forward. We are talking about code-sharing and interlining among the airlines, how do you think that will be possible when they cannot even rely on information that is available?
“The information available are coming from different sources. The earlier we have a central data system the better for us, agencies, captains for the industry and even the reporters that will want to rely on the data that they have gotten.
On policy implementation and how it affects airlines and travel agencies he said over the years policies formed have not been implemented or affected the lives of those involved.
Bernard who is also President Association of Approved Training Organization of Nigeria (AATON) called for a shift in focus particularizing the accredited training institutions in sector where he said there was barely enough for over 200 million while stressing that people are interested but there are no policies to attract investors to this area
He said, “The truth is that policy implementation can never be overemphasized. It is something that has to be on a continuous basis. Over the years, many policies have been formed but how well have they been implemented? How has it reflected on the industry and lives of the people involved?
“I think we have to shift focus to the impact over the years. As I sat there, I realized that the Act that governs NCAT was enacted in 1964, whereas all others had been reviewed lately. How come the one that affects industry personnel has been abandoned for decades? It shows that we pay very little attention to the workforce in the industry and that explains why we more often export that aspect of the aviation business.
“We need to go back to the drawing board and make sure that the personnel are well trained. As at today, we only have 20 accredited training organisations in Nigeria, to serve a population of over 200 million people. It is not that people are not interested, but there are no enabling laws to attract investors into this critical aspect of the aviation industry. I think we need to pay more attention to issues that affect human factors in the industry.
