By Aondowase Agabi
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is developing tailored accident investigation templates for the different transportation modes based on its expanded scopes.
The process commenced on Tuesday in Abuja with a consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry. Other stakeholders in the maritime, rail and road transports will engaged subsequently to develop industry specific guidelines.
On the aviation sector, the forum sought to work them through the proposed amendments to the Bureau’s Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2019.
Speaking at the event, the NSIB Director General, Engr. Akin Olateru said the “amendments we are trying to implement will help ensure that the Bureau’s Regulations is consistent with the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set forth in the ICAO Annex 13, which addresses aircraft accident investigation, the evolution of new technologies, and the changes in the industry.”
He noted that “such changes include the provision of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) establishment Act 2022, which allowed for the transition of the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) to the NSIB, a multi-modal safety investigation agency.”
In view of this, he said NSIB has “made some new inclusions to the previously circulated version of the Bureau’s draft regulation.
Some of the new inclusions in the draft amended regulation include the provision of Family Assistance to accident victims and their families, Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS), Competent Authority, Mandatory Reporting System and Voluntary Reporting System.”
He said NSIB will ensure updated and standardized regulations is designed for the Bureau, which has been at the forefront of aviation safety promotion since its establishment through the conduct of thorough accident investigation and timely release of reports.
“Under the umbrella of the new NSIB, we would continue to work tirelessly to ensure the continuous safety of air transport in Nigeria and replicate this safety standard in other modes of transportation, thereby, ensuring overall transportation safety in the country” he assured.
