Accra, Feb. 17, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, the newly appointed Minister of Transport, has stressed the need to develop the aviation industry, saying it the time to do that was now.

"With many more airlines coming in as well as investments that would come in with the drilling of the oil, I believe that this is the most opportune time to improve upon the aviation industry."

Alhaji Dauda said this when he toured the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday.

"We may have our long term plans which are certainly very important, but there are also little things we could begin with immediately that could positively turn the airport around", he noted.

He said it was absolutely possible to turn the Kotoka International Airport into an aviation hub in West Africa.

"We can do it. There is already a facility and all we have to do is to build upon it," he said.

Alhaji Dauda reminded workers of both the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to respect each other irrespective of the positions they held.

"It is only when people feel appreciated for the jobs they do that they are able to give off their best.

"Let us have a positive attitude and growth would be guaranteed," he told the workers.

He said government would make sure that the Airport lands were not encroached upon, adding that those that had already been illegally taken would be recovered.

Alhaji Dauda observed that a well developed aviation sector was very crucial to national development.

"If we have an aviation industry that is good enough to attract more people into the country, we would have better chances of attracting investors and that would boost economic growth," he noted. Alhaji Dauda was received at the airport by Mr George Amedio, Deputy Managing Director of the GACL and Air Commodore Kwame Mamphey, Director General of the GCAA.