The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on Friday commended the Federal Government for the improved safety in the aviation industry. Mr Sadon Marafa, leader of ICAO team on inspection of airport facilities in Nigeria, told newsmen in Lagos that the group was pleased with the progress so far made in aviation safety.

The Tactical Action Group (TAG) of ICAO has been on a five-day tour of airport facilities in Nigeria, ahead of the ICAO audit of the nation’’s aviation industry, scheduled for June. The two-man delegation of ICAO regional office in Dakar, which completed the inspection of Lagos and Kano airports, would depart Lagos on Friday night. Marafa said that from what the team had seen, the Nigerian government was committed to developing the nation’’s aviation industry in line with the current global practices.

“I was with my team in Nigeria two years ago and what we have seen in these five days is progress and improvement. ‘I want to congratulate Nigeria on this feat, though there is still more to be done by way of improving certain areas,’’ he said.

In his response, Dr Harold Demuren, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), assured the team that Nigeria would continue to develop its aviation infrastructure. Demuren assured the delegation that the areas highlighted by it would be improved upon before the general audit.

“They have given us what should be done and what should not be done. We would continue to comply with the recommended procedure of ICAO safety,’’ he said. The NCAA boss, however, stated that part of the safety recommendation, as issued by ICAO, was for the country to move from terrestrial navigational aid to satellite base navigational aids.