18 Oct 2023

Extensive stakeholder consultation is key  in maintaining sustainable development and operational continuity by aviation operations, says the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), Mr Bao Mosinyi.

He made the remarks during a stakeholder engagement to apprise them on the Civil Aviation Act and amended regulations.

Mr Mosinyi said the CAAB had not been good in consultation, but vowed that the trend had changed as recently, they had some engagement to look into regulations that gave heartburn to the industry.

He said regular engagement with stakeholders was critical as it gave the authority an opportunity to understand its perceptions and expectations. He  assured the gathering that consultation would be done before any regulation could be finalized.

He said some regulations such as one on drones were on the table, adding their input was vital because regulations were developed for them to use, hence they had to be part of the process.

“We have already amended over 30 regulations inside the authority and things were not done the way we wanted because there was no extensive consultation but we are improving on that area,” he added. “Going forward, we will listen to you in order comply with the regulations.”

Mr Mosinyi said the process of amending legislation was a multi-level one, incorporating a number of steps, some of which were outside the control of the authority.

He emphasized the need to focus on compliance, citing that operations in Maun differed with those in other countries, but they had to comply with the international standards bearing in mind their environment of operations.

He appreciated the five days engagement with stakeholders saying it would give them a platform to discuss and find how best to comply without affecting their operations because the mandate of the authority was to grow the aviation industry.

The act, he said, was clear that even if they review regulations, they should enable private sector and other stakeholders to flourish.

“We need to be on the same page when drafting regulation to ensure they are suitable for your operations,” he added.

The gathering was also informed that processes were ongoing to certify Maun International Airport to be at par with international standards. Mr Mosinyi said initially they expected to undertake the exercise in June this year but expressed confidence that by November, the exercise would be done.

Certification would make the facilities more secure, safer and regular in accordance with all the international standards of the Civil Aviation Organization. He said Sir Seretse Khama International Airport had already been certified and plans were underway to certify Kasane, Maun and Francistown facilities.

CAAB corporate counsel, Mr Kabelo Gaonyadiwe, took the gathering through the Civil Aviation Act which he said defined the scope and functions of the authority, citing that CAAB mandate was to provide safe, secure and sustainable aviation services. He said the authority also had to observe other international conventions.

The act, he said, was divided into 19 parts and explained some of the sections such as section 11 which calls for the authority to be in business and to ensure it observed commercial air aspects all the time.  ENDS