Nigeria Constitutes Two Committees To Enhance Air Safety
Lawan Hamidu, Abuja.

Two investigative panels to review the circumstances that led to the Sunday air disaster have been constituted by the federal government.

They are the Accident Investigative Bureau, AIB, which has commenced investigations since Sunday and the just constituted Presidential Administrative and Technical committee.

The Presidential committee, made up of professionals in the aviation industry, has the mandate to assess all the domestic scheduled air lines, and ensure that the management culture is in line with international best practice.

They are also required to find if the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority guidelines on airline maintenance are adhered to by the operators.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Aviation Minister Mrs Stella Oduah said arrangements have been concluded to fly the black box of the ill fate aircraft abroad.

Mrs Oduah said“I wish to reaffirm our commitment to the improvement of the quality of our aviation infrastructure with the overall goal of making air travel safer.

We will remain and stay firm on this commitment. At a time such as this when a tragedy of such proportion befalls the nation, we must strive even more to put in place those measures that can support air safety and other means of transportation. 

Mr. President has directed that the fullest possible investigation be undertaken into the remote and immediate causes of the crash with a view to ensuring that the proper lessons are learnt from it, and that going forward, every necessary measure is effectively implemented to enhance the safety of air travellers in Nigeria.”

The Minister of Aviation said that the reports of Sosoliso, Bellview and ADC plane crash would be made public within the next couple of weeks.

The Nigerian government also said it had taken necessary measures to ensuring the safety of air transportation in the country.

It also called on all stakeholders in the aviation sector to join hands to enhance safety in air travels.

Special session for victims

These were some of the key decisions reached at the Federal Executive Council at its Special Session held in Abuja.

The meeting which followed a Presidential memo on the issue, focused on measures so far taken, strategies that need to be put in place and international best practices in the Aviation sector.

In his speech President Goodluck Jonathan commiserated with the families of the victims and directed the committees to come up with recommendations to strengthen the country’s aviation sector.

While reiterating his administration’s stand to take whatever action may become necessary to prevent the recurrence of air mishaps, President Jonathan invited all stakeholders in the sector to join hands with government in implementing measures that will ultimately benefit the entire industry and reassure the public.

President Jonathan said “The lives of all Nigerians and foreigners in our country are precious to this administration. We will continue to do everything possible to protect lives and prevent avoidable deaths. I assure all Nigerians and the international community that the investigations which I have ordered will be very thorough.

Let me warn that where clear dereliction of duty is established, firm action will be taken. This administration stands ready to take whatever action may become necessary after the investigation to prevent the recurrence of air mishaps.

We are a nation of highly resilient people; in time, we will surely overcome the collective trauma of Sunday’s plane crash in Lagos.

However, we must never forget the many precious lives that were lost in that utterly devastating crash. I invite all stakeholders in the sector to join hands with us in proactively implementing measures and undertaking actions that will ultimately benefit the entire industry and reassure the public.”

The occasion provided an opportunity for The Vice President, and the Ministers to pray for the Victims and the Families over the unfortunate tragedy.

Ugo