Aviation

NMets calls for establishment of renewable energy centres

Published

8 years ago

March 23, 2018

The Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMets) has called for the establishment of renewable energy centres across the country to help curtail environmental pollution.

The President of NMets, Prof. Clement Akoshile, made the call during this year’s World Meteorological Day celebration in Lagos.

The theme for the 2018 World Meteorological Day celebration is: ‘Weather-ready, Climate- smart and Water-wise.’

The celebration creates awareness on wide range of hazards facing the ever-growing world population like tropical cyclone, storm surges, heavy rain, heat waves and drought, among others.

According to him, government should drive the renewable energy process for the country by empowering universities and polytechnics to produce solar panels and patronising them.

”The noticeable effect of the weather with regards to rain is that the early rain is being prolonged and the temperature is far higher than normal.

”All these are caused by heat trapped within the atmosphere as a result of particles of aerosol from the ground.

”To reduce the harm of aerosols, government should develop renewable energy sources to stop reliance on felling of trees for firewood and using fossil fuel that pollutes the environment.

”One of the ways to achieve this is by establishing renewable energy centres across the country,” he said.

Akoshile said that a lot of studies, inventions and prototypes on renewable energy had been made in the universities and polytechnics.

He said that the institutions could mass-produce solar panels if they had funds to do that.

Akoshile said it would be far better for the country to produce solar panels than waste foreign exchange importing them.

He said that developing renewable centres were possible once the government had political will to do so.

The NMets president said that government needed to control bush burning, cutting of trees, fuel components and the use of coal.

He said that government should also impound all vehicles that emit thick smoke into the atmosphere.

Related Topics:Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMets)

Up Next

Airports security to carry arms soon, says Sirika

Don't Miss

Issuance of visa to investors on arrival at airports grossing daily in Nigeria — FAAN

Click to comment

Leave a Reply
Cancel reply

Africa breaks World Cup record with seven teams in knockout stage

Football4 days ago

Africa breaks World Cup record with seven teams in knockout stage

Alleged xenophobic attack claims life of Malawian street vendor in South Africa

Latest7 days ago

Alleged xenophobic attack claims life of Malawian street vendor in South Africa

Comments and Issues6 days ago

Norway’s Rowing Celebration Captures The Spirit Of The World Cup

Entertainment1 day ago

Actress Cossy Ojiakor shares flooded home as heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in Lagos

Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is under fresh financial pressure following the introduction of a new 5% federal levy on air tickets, intensifying concerns over rising operating costs, fragmented taxation, and expensive aircraft leasing arrangements that airlines say are threatening industry sustainability. The new levy, introduced as part of aviation revenue reforms, is collected alongside existing statutory charges imposed by multiple agencies. Airline operators say the additional deduction further compresses already thin profit margins in an industry already weighed down by high jet fuel prices, regulatory fees, and foreign-exchange–linked obligations. Industry stakeholders warn that the cumulative effect could push up ticket prices, dampen passenger demand, and worsen liquidity challenges for domestic carriers already struggling with cash flow constraints. Rising Tensions Between Regulators and Airlines The financial strain has coincided with renewed friction between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), following disputes over the remittance of statutory charges and the delivery of regulatory services. Operators say the situation reflects deeper systemic liquidity stress across the sector, where airlines are increasingly unable to meet overlapping obligations imposed by aviation agencies while maintaining operational stability. A Layered and Fragmented Tax System At the centre of industry complaints is what operators describe as a “multi-layered and excessive” taxation structure involving the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Airlines such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines are subject to a range of compulsory charges, including the 5% ticket levy, passenger service charges, value-added tax on tickets and aviation inputs, and other operational deductions collected at different stages of the value chain. Industry players argue that the system creates cash flow distortions because several charges are collected upfront or deducted at source, leaving airlines with reduced working capital for day-to-day operations. Beyond ticket-based deductions, carriers also face landing fees, parking charges, overflight fees, navigation levies, and ground handling costs. Combined with jet fuel, which accounts for a significant share of total operating expenses, analysts say profitability on many domestic routes has been severely constrained. Leasing Constraints and Foreign Exchange Pressure Airlines’ challenges are compounded by difficulties in aircraft acquisition and leasing, which remain essential for fleet expansion in the absence of strong local financing options. Most carriers rely on wet and dry lease arrangements from international lessors. Wet leases, which include aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, allow quick capacity deployment but are costly and typically paid in foreign currency. Regulatory limits also restrict their use to short-term arrangements. Dry leases offer more operational control and long-term stability but are increasingly difficult to secure. International lessors often view Nigeria as a high-risk environment due to concerns over aircraft repossession and currency volatility, resulting in higher insurance premiums, security deposits, and financing costs. As a result, airlines are frequently forced into short-term leasing agreements, exposing them to exchange-rate fluctuations and operational disruptions that contribute to flight delays and cancellations. Fuel Costs Deepen Financial Strain Jet A1 fuel remains one of the largest cost drivers in the sector, further squeezing margins across domestic routes. With fuel expenses, taxes, and leasing obligations combined, industry analysts say many airlines are operating with extremely narrow or unstable margins. Operators warn that without coordinated policy reforms, sustained profitability and expansion in the sector will remain difficult. Calls for Structural Reform Aviation stakeholders are calling on the federal government to streamline overlapping charges, review the newly introduced 5% levy, and consider removing VAT on aviation inputs to ease cost pressures. They are also advocating for reforms to centralise fee collection processes, improve transparency in regulatory charges, and support more stable aviation fuel supply mechanisms. In addition, industry groups are pushing for the development of a local aircraft leasing framework to reduce dependence on expensive international markets. Outlook While policymakers continue to explore potential incentives, including tax relief measures and leasing reforms, airlines say they are already adjusting operations through capacity cuts, route optimisation, and tighter financial controls. For now, Nigeria’s domestic carriers remain under significant pressure, navigating what industry players describe as one of the most financially challenging periods in recent years.

Aviation1 week ago

Heading through the storm: Multiple taxes, complex leasing drag on Nigerian carriers

Netherlands to face Morocco, Brazil draw Japan in 2026 World Cup round of 32

Football5 days ago

Netherlands to face Morocco, Brazil draw Japan in 2026 World Cup round of 32

Leaked court documents allege Shell ignored pipeline safety warnings in Niger Delta

Energy6 days ago

Leaked court documents allege Shell ignored pipeline safety warnings in Niger Delta

Business5 days ago

NAFDAC, FCCPC others partners OSOA Foods advocacy on food safety, MSME growth

National Daily Newspaper

NMets calls for establishment of renewable energy centres

Aviation

NMets calls for establishment of renewable energy centres

Leave a Reply
Cancel reply

Leave a Reply

Trending

National Daily Newspaper

NMets calls for establishment of renewable energy centres

You may like

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Leave a Reply

Trending

Leave a Reply
Cancel reply