The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has Inaugurated a high-powered multi-stakeholders committee to ascertain the integrity of all aviation fuel facilities across the country.
The 36-man committee has Representatives from NCAA, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that issue licenses, and the Department of State Security (DSS).and has 60 days to wrap up its assignment.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Director General, of Nigeria Civil Aviation, Captain Musa Nuhu said the committee is for fact-finding and not a witch hunt of aviation fuel marketers and fuelers but a fact-finding mission to enhance safety.
Represented by Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, the Director, Operations, Licensing & Training Standards, the DG this investigative committee became necessary following fuel contamination that happened with Max Air aircraft about three months ago. the incident created negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear amongst the public.
Considering the gravity of the situation the Authority has set up a joint committee and mandated the committee to conduct a holistic review and audit all fuelers, fueling facilities, and equipment from the initial source of the fuel to the point of fueling into the aircraft.
“I want to assure the Nigerian public and the world at large that the Nigerian aviation industry and our skies are safe as the NCAA has always been thorough in granting approvals in addition to our oversight responsibilities which include surveillances and audits of all operators involved in the aviation industry to ensure the highest level of safety in our skies as The Authority has not been sleeping and have taken steps in the aftermath of the incidents which included the investigation of all the incidents that have been reported, collaboration with sister agencies in the aviation industry like Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that issue licences, and Department of State Security (DSS): he explained.
According to Captain Nuhu, this collaboration with NMPDRA has yielded positive results so far as the collaboration has led to the identification of all nonlicensed fuelers and those with expired licenses in Nigeria has led to the suspension of all their activities in the airport in Nigeria. “Furthermore, an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been issued mandating all Operators to comply with all requirements for fueling as approved. The Authority has also heightened its surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance” he noted.
“As for the committee, this is a national assignment that must be taken with all seriousness that it deserves. You must not leave any stone unturned and come up with recommendations that would help prevent future occurrences ands improve the level of safety in the industry. We must build the trust of the Nigerian public to the highest level we can achieve” he challenged the committee.
