The commissioner Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau,Engr. Akin Olateru says all is set to extend the mandate’ of the AIB to include rail and maritime safety.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 8th commission meeting of the BAGAIA in Abuja, Olateru said the AIB would become a multi-modal agency known as Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. He further said the goal of the NAIB and BAGAIA is to enable member countries capable of conducting independent investigation without recourse to Nigeria.
According to him,”BAGAIA mission to assist member states in the conduct of Independent investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents in compliance with international standards cannot be overemphasized”.
” it’s potential role in providing Africa with dependable, trustworthy and efficient investigations can help in changing the perception and hence,the economy of our aviation industry”.
The BAGAIA commissioner, Engr Charles Erhueh while welcoming AIB commissioners from other countries and other guests said the meeting will afford BAGAIA the opportunity to listen to advancements of member states activities.
According to him, ” we will within the next two days review recommendations/resolutions made from the second extraordinary meeting and other emergency meetings, we will also present the BAGAIA budget for the year 2023 as well as update of the BAGAIA agreement”.
Also on the front burner according to Engr Erueh is the need to integrate more states into BAGAIA.
The EU-ASA expert Mr Mario Colavita warned against complacency due to overconfidence arising from the recent safety records.He cited the recent accident at Lima which he said should sound alarm bells adding that inspire of the reactive nature of the mandate’ of investigators, proactive measures by way of spreading information should be activated.
The meeting which is to last from 21 -22 November had in attendance, Commissioners of BAGAIA member states like Sierra Leone,Cape Verde, Gambia and Ghana with
Mr.Liban Said Shire
Director of Aircraft Accident Investigation in Somalia as an
observer.Some AIB commissioners joined virtually . Also present were the DG BAGASOO, Captain Tidiane Bah, Regional Director ICAO represented by his deputy Mr Nika Manzi and his team ,EU-ASA expert Mr . Mario Colavita representing the EU-ASA projects ,the Head BAG secretariat, Mr Fansu Bojang who is the DG of Gambia CAA , Director Engineering AIB,Engr. Mohammed Wali and other stakeholders.
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