The Federal Government of Nigeria has projected $1billion as profit from the sale of drone by 2018, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, revealed.
The Minister, who made the projection at a symposium organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)’ said, “Industry forecast expect that total drone sales will reach new heights in 2017/2018, with a billion dollars in revenues and about 4 million units sold.”
Sirika said government planned to develop regulations for the operation of drone systems in the country ensure safe and efficient air space for stakeholders, people and members of the public.
“The intent of the symposium is to ensure that we have interacted enough and shared ideas on how to keep the airspace safe and efficient. We are continuing to dialogue and interact with stakeholders worldwide so that we can get it right,” Sirika said.
“Drones are transforming industries like agriculture, film making, real estate and creating countless new jobs and economic opportunities. They are also are tackling jobs that can be dangerous for people or other aircraft to do such as it is in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.”
On the regulation to ensure smooth operation of the innovation, he said: “We are working hard to integrate RPA operations into our airspace as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We need to incorporate RPA and their users into our culture of safety and responsibility but we need to do it in a way that doesn’t stifle the enthusiasm for this growing industry.
“While valuable inputs on regulations are being received from stakeholders and building consensus through public sensitization, the Government is making substantial progress in integrating RPAS into Nigerian Airspace structure.
“The Government through Civil Aviation Authority is establishing a RPA Safety Team that will include a wide variety of stakeholders in the aviation industry. The team will analyze safety data developed, to identify emerging threats that RPAS may pose to aircraft, people, and property.
“They will also develop mitigation strategies to address these threats and prevent future accidents. The Team will help to develop recommendations that will assist the government to create RPAS registration system in the shortest possible time.
“The registration is expected to help connect RPAS with its operator in cases where people fail to comply with rules and guidelines.”
He further disclosed that the availability and easy registration of purchased drones by individuals would be as it done in the United States, he said: “I want to draw the attention of Nigerians and plead with them that our system, tradition, values and culture is really different from that of the US.
