Photo caption: Engr. Akin Olateru, Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Accident Investigation Bureau
By Olamide Oni
In line with its promise to clear all outstanding accident reports and to swiftly release the reports of new occurrences, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released 27 final reports and 97 safety recommendations in the last two years.
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) reiterates its commitment to providing excellent service. AIB recently held a stakeholder’s forum to review its Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2016.
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Commissioner, Engr. Akin Olateru, says the purpose of the review was to ensure that the Bureau’s standards are up to date.
“AIB is a benchmarked business; we owe it to the world to ensure that these standards are kept and we are constantly reviewing these standards to ensure that we are in line. Our regulations represent an integral area with space for improvement,” he says.
He notes the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) will invest more in training as it is already working with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and the Cranfield University, UK on Accident Investigation courses and for the establishment of its own training school. He adds that the bureau would also extend its training to the first responders which include the Federal Road Safety Corp, Nigeria Police Force and others who will aid in preserving evidences at crash sites.
“The crash site in Nigeria is a looting site; we need to work on this because we need to preserve evidence. The boxes are very critical for our investigation and we need to protect them. Does the Nigeria Police know what a black box look like? No. Is he at fault? No. Has he been trained? No. These are our first responders, so we have decided that we will train both the Police and the FRSC,” he adds.
The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman commends AIB on its effort in issuing safety recommendations which had been very useful for the agency and he reassures the Bureau of the NCAA’s continued support to ensure safe skies in Nigeria.
Capt. Usman says: “The NCAA wishes to appreciate the effort of the AIB in issuing these safety recommendations. The safety recommendations that the Authority had implemented had assisted in improving our processes, led to the development of new and amendment of existing procedures, amendment of regulatory requirements and overall the strengthening of our safety oversight obligations.”
“The NCAA is willing and ready to corporate and continuously improve the existing partnership with the Accident Investigation Bureau to ensure safe skies within Nigeria,” he adds.
The Director General, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, states that AIB also has a role to play in terms of consumer protection.
L-R: Mr. Tunde Fagbemi, The Managing Director, Springfountain Limited; Col. Lawrence R. Jarra, Commissioner/CEO Accident Investigation Bureau, Gambia and Mrs. Tokunbo Fagbemi, Group Managing Director, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC at the event
Also, Mr. Tunde Fagbemi, the Managing Director, Springfountain Infrastructure Limited adds that the AIB through its reports can boost passengers’ confidence and also educate consumers by releasing timely reports. He says: “The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) reports, findings and recommendations are very critical to developing rules to maintain a fair market place, and educating consumers and business about their rights and responsibilities in the aviation industry.”
Meanwhile, the AIB and the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA) France, have signed an Executive Technical Cooperation Programme (ETCP) geared towards fostering mutual cooperation between both countries in air accident investigation and capacity building.