Aviation watchdog urged to promote safety

MINISTER of State in the President's Office, Prof Mark Mwandosya, has advised the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) to draw up strategies for attracting more investors in the industry.

'You have much work to do to ensure aviation industry thrives and contributes well to the national economy and promote safety in air travel,' Prof Mwandosya who is the minister without portfolio said.

He said before disintegration of the East African Community (EAC) in mid-1970s, Tanzania led in the Community by getting significant amount revenue from air transport.

The minister made the remarks in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, after making a one-day visit to TCAA and held talk with some employees on achievements and challenges of the authority over the last 10 years.

TCAA Director of Economic Regulation Division, Dr James Diu, listed various achievements including recruitment and training of local pilots.

He said the country has 239 local pilots, where 17 of them are women. Dr Diu also said there were 294 foreign pilots, where 14 of them are women.

He commended the government for training pilots and aircraft engineers. He said in 2014/15 financial year, the government would sponsor various professionals for courses in the aviation industry, including pilots.

However, Dr Diu said challenges facing the TCAA included regular technological changes, poor condition of many airports and shortage of skilled personnel.

Early, this year the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Secretary General, Mr Raymond Benjamin, visited the country and assured TCAA that his organization was determined to ensure that safety and security of air transport is enhanced in Tanzania.

“We are putting a lot of emphasis on the safety and security of air transport sector, these are our must, we are also looking for economic vibrant areas of aviation sector,” Mr Benjamin noted.

ICAO, which currently has 191 contracting states, is a specialized United Nations (UN) agency responsible for international civil aviation.

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