The Directorate of Transport of the ECOWAS Commission recently convened with officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Banjul Accord Group for Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) to discuss the implementation of the Support Program for Air Transport Development in West and Central Africa (PASTA-CO) Project. The meeting took place in Lagos, Nigeria from May 7th to 9th, 2024.
Funded by the African Development Bank and supplemented by contributions from the ECOWAS Community Budget, the PASTA-CO project is designed to provide safe, efficient air navigation services in a unified airspace. This initiative aims to bolster trade and regional socio-economic integration across West and Central Africa.
The meeting brought together experts from ECOWAS, ICAO, and BAGASOO to assess progress on various project components. These include establishing a regional pool of aviation security experts to support ECOWAS Member States and creating an aviation accident investigations body for West and Central Africa. The project also seeks to facilitate Member States' participation in ACI World’s Airport Excellence Program (APEX), which provides comprehensive onsite airport reviews to optimize operations, regulatory compliance, and aviation standards.
Under PASTA-CO's umbrella, aerodromes in the ECOWAS and ECCAS regions are receiving assistance for international aerodrome certification. Other components involve establishing a Search and Rescue (SAR) Mechanism for the region, training safety inspectors, and mobilizing resources to improve aerodrome infrastructure within Member States.
Mr. Chris Appiah, Acting Director of Transport at the ECOWAS Commission, expressed gratitude towards ICAO and BAGASOO officials during his opening remarks. He acknowledged their continued collaboration in advancing PASTA-CO. Mr. Appiah also conveyed ECOWAS's appreciation to the African Development Bank for extending the Grant Agreement deadline for this project. He assured the project partners of ECOWAS's commitment to ensuring the timely completion of all activities under its responsibility and pledged to support ICAO and BAGASOO in encouraging Member States to comply with internationally agreed industry standards and rules.
Madam Jailza Soraya Rodrigues Silva, Executive Director of BAGASOO, thanked ECOWAS for its exceptional role in facilitating PASTA-CO's implementation. She stated, "ECOWAS efforts have not only brought us here today but also given all stakeholders the opportunity to agree on pragmatic ways of achieving the project objectives."
Mr. Nika Mèhèza Manzi, Deputy Regional Director at ICAO's Western and Central African Office, expressed gratitude towards ECOWAS for organizing the meeting. He reaffirmed ICAO’s readiness to find solutions to any obstacles impeding project implementation and collaborate with ECOWAS in improving West Africa's aviation industry.
The meeting concluded with a review of related Technical Agreements and consensus on an Action Plan outlining practical activities for implementing outstanding components by the new deadline approved by the African Development Bank.
ECOWAS remains committed to deepening regional economic integration by providing a safe, affordable, and well-connected air transport sector in West Africa.
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