Posted by Sade Williams
Former senior special adviser to the president on aviation matters, Captain Shehu Iyal, has commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for improved safety in the industry under their strict monitoring.
Iyal, in an interview during the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) 27th conference in Lagos, said early intervention of these three agencies, especially, the NCAA, whenever there’s possible infringement, has greatly helped the sector.
According to him, the sector has improved far ahead than what it was five to ten years ago due to commitment and tenacity of these agencies.
“I think from my own experience, which I think is quite reasonable, our safety level has greatly improved. When last did we have any accident in any of our commercial airlines? So I think it has greatly improved because of training and retraining, seminars, courses and the kind of equipment we are operating in the country now. And whether you like it or not, I think you must give kudos to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Whenever there is possible infringement, they come early enough to stop it.
“Commendation should also go to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for what it is doing. I think it is doing a great job. They are properly equipped now and they have a lot of trainings for their personnel. And from time to time, they give safety recommendations emanating from their accident and incident investigations. The same thing goes with Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet) about weather. I receive weather reports daily from them. I also receive warning reports on safety. So, safety wise we have gone far, far ahead than where we were some five or 10 years ago because of training and retraining, proper equipment, navigational aids and landing aids that we have, runway lights that have improved even though there is room for more improvement.”, he said.
On how government can assist the airlines in terms of funding and credit facilities,
Iyal said: ‘The government can come in by creating special fund that can be disbursed through the Bank of Industry (BoI) at single digits. Strictly for airlines and strictly under the supervision of BoI. And if we have that, I think it will go a long way in improving the situation that we have here.’.
Speaking on concession, he said his idea of concession should be total, adding, ‘the concession should be total; not just the terminal. And when I mean total, I mean, inclusive of the runways. People may have contrary view, citing national security, but I think there can be a synergy between what company is given the airport and the security and the regulator. The most important thing is that we must have a very strong, efficient, well-trained, well-equipped regulator and then we can move forward.
“I have seen it in Niamey, Niger Republic. When the airport was under the state management, it was like any other airport in Africa. Then it was given out in concession and everything changed. It has modern facilities now and it is run efficiently.”, he added.
