The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said the implementation of the recommendations based on its investigations on air crashes and serious incidences in Nigeria has impacted air safety in Nigeria.
The Commissioner of AIB Nigeria, Engr. Akin Olateru gave the indication on Monday in Abuja on the role of the accident/incident investigation in the state safety programme (ESP) and flight recorder workshop – recorders and beyond of the Banjul Accord Group Accident on Investigation Agency (BAGAIA).
Represented by Engr, Mohammed Wali, Director of Operations of the Bureau, the Commissioner said the Nigerian Airspace is one of the safest.
“The last fatal crash we had was about three years and in the last six years, the Nigerian air space has been one of the safest in the world. So, when you look at the role AIB and NCAA plays in accident, the synergy is the result of the safer skies we have now” he said.
He also said Nigeria’s air accident investigation is top notch and respected in Africa and the world.
“On flight recorders; Nigeria has one of the best labs in the world and just recently, we helped Cameroon to retrieve information from a damaged recorder which has never been done in Africa. This training is mainly on flight recorders because of the expertise Nigeria has. So, all other BAGAIA countries are here for the training” he said.
Engr. Charles Erhueh, BAGAIA Commissioner. Said the workshops will deepen our knowledge further in understanding safety as well as the investigative processes adding that it will further expatiate on stakeholders’ role during the investigation in terms of the State Safety Programme.
“Also, this will let us have the understanding the benefits of the use of drones in accident investigations while looking beyond the flight recorder” he said.
“Note that once an accident happened and the scene becomes contaminated by people who should not be there, their actions more often than not, derail the investigative process. Sometimes you see a massive crowd looting and carting away things from the scene all in the guise ‘to help” he explained.
“So, during our workshops, we will talk about partnering with the right stakeholders: airport authorities, military, police, national civil defense, construction companies, emergency management agencies and even how to relate with communities where the crash happened so as to inform them of their role, which by the way is most critical if we are to get good results” he stated.
