02 Aug 2021

Parliament has adopted the Aviation Security (Amendment) Bill. 

The bill seeks to enhance Botswana’s aviation security to bring it to par with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and framework. 

Presenting the bill, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo had explained that the proposed amendments sought to bolster Botswana’s aviation security to safeguard its air space against any acts of terror. 

Legislators commended the proposed amendments given that aviation security played a key role in engendering passenger trust in air transport especially with the evolving aviation threats each year. 

They applauded the Ministry of Transport and Communications for striving to comply with international aviation security standards. 

Contributing to the debate, Chobe MP, Mr Ronald Shamukuni said the real challenge for aviation was to implement security measures that could respond to threats with minimal effect to passengers. 

Mr Shamukuni, who is also Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology, emphasised the importance of upskilling pilots in modern navigation systems, therefore his ministry had been mandated to work with education and training providers to produce highly qualified pilots to guarantee passengers’ safety. 

He called for more training of pilots who flew small aircraft in tourism areas because unskilled pilots could threaten the aviation industry. 

He stated that there was a strong correlation between the tourism industry and aviation sector in that about 20 per cent of tourism related jobs in the world were supported by tourists who frequently used the aviation industry. 

Supporting the bill, Mmadinare legislator, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi said the bill had potential to enhance the upgrading of local airports to bring them to international standards, something which he hoped would help create new international routes in addition to connecting the country with key economic players. 

Mr Molebatsi observed that aviation was the most rapid worldwide transportation network, which made it essential for global business and a key catalyst to economic growth. He said the bill would boost investor confidence in Botswana and reinforce the country’s commitment towards aviation security. 

Mr Molebatsi, who is also Assistant Minister of Trade and Investment, indicated that the proposed amendments would further create more economic windfalls for the aviation industry as it would enhance aviation safety and security. 

He added that airports created first impression for countries and therefore called for a revamp of infrastructure to create a welcoming environment to potential investors. Ends