Safety, security for travelling public a priority for Manase

THE safety and security of the travelling public is one of the top priorities of the Government, Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase says.
Manase said this in Parliament yesterday when presenting the 2017 annual report for the PNG Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (Casa).
He said the functions of Casa was consistent with the government development agenda and the PNG transport sector programme’s strategy to achieve a desired outcome that PNG must be a safe place to fly into to enable economic and social development.
“Thus, for this government, safety and security of the travelling public is the most important priority,” he said.
“The public expects us the government to be responsible in ensuring that aeroplanes are safe to fly, the airports are safe to operate into and the associated aeronautical infrastructures are modernised and meets international standards,” he said. Manase said it was important that the government supported Casa’s initiative to build operational capability and that adequate investments were directed in the technical competencies of Casa in managing and regulating air transport.
“Casa as the regulator of air transport should be given the recognition needed in ensuring a safe and efficient air transport for the wellbeing and economic development for PNG.
“But I am pleased to say that the operation of Casa has again met the expectation of the government and the aviation industry and the public in ensuring that safety and security is maintained and enhanced within and increasingly complex and challenging environment.”
Manase further said that the Casa board continued to set up sound leadership and governance and sought to add value by holding management to account through informed, effective and independent oversight of performance and conformance matters.