The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has assured that it would not relent on its effort towards achieving the highest level of safety in the aviation sector.
Capt. Nuhu who made the remarks while inaugurating aviation fuel audit committee, noted that the aviation industry is the most scrutinized and regulated industry in the world.
The DG who was represented by Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, Director, Operations, Licensing & Training Standards explained that recently, there have been series of incidents relating to fuel contamination, in particular, that of Max Air fuel contamination in Yola that has generated a lot of attention in the country and all over the world.
He said this has created a negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear amongst the public which is justified.
He mandated the committee to conduct a wholistic review and audit all fuelers, fueling facilities and equipment from the initial source of the fuel to the point of fueling into the aircraft.
Nuhu assured the Nigerian public and the world at large that the Nigerian aviation industry and its skies are safe.
He stressed that the NCAA has always been thorough in granting approvals in addition to its 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.
“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)”, the DG said.
Nuhu stated further that the collaboration with NMPDRA has yielded positive results so far and has led to the identification of all nonlicenced fuelers and those with expired licences in Nigeria that has led to suspension of all their activities in the airport in Nigeria.
He noted that an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been issued mandating all Operators to comply with all requirements for fueling as approved.
The DG pointed out that the Authority has also heightened its surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance.
He advised the committee to see the work as a national assignment that must be taken with all seriousness that it deserves.
Nuhu urged them not to leave any stone un-turned and come up with recommendations that would help prevent future occurrence and help improve the level of safety in the industry.
The DG stated that the stakeholders must build the trust of the Nigerian public to the highest level they can achieve.
He said the Authority is working studiously round the clock to ensure that safety of air travel in Nigeria is not compromised.
Nuhu assured Nigerians that the recommendations from the committee would be fully implemented in the interest of the public and safe air travel in Nigeria.
The committee has membership drawn from the NCAA, NSIB, FAAN, DSS, NMPDRA and _ the Association of fuel Marketers in Nigeria.
The committee has been mandated to identify all the root causes, proffer solutions and recommendations that would improve the level of safety in the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Their Terms of Reference (TOR) has been clearly spelt out that would see the committee members tour all over the country to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.
