The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a process to amend the Bureau’s Civil Aviation Investigations of Air Accidents and Incidents Regulation 2019 to improve safety.
The NSIB Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru, during a consultation forum on the proposed amendment to NSIB regulations, recently in Abuja, stated that the amendment they were trying to implement would help ensure that the Bureau’s regulations is consistent with the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set forth in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13,
The Annex addresses aircraft accident investigation, the evolution of new technologies, and the changes in the industry such as the provision of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) establishment Act 2022, which allowed for the transition of the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) to the NSIB, a multi-modal safety investigation agency.
Olateru stated that new inclusions have been made to the previously circulated version of the Bureau’s draft regulation, which has been highlighted for the stakeholders.
The new inclusions in the draft amended regulation, according to him, include the provision of Family Assistance to accident victims and their families, Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS), Competent Authority, Mandatory Reporting System and Voluntary Reporting System.
He said: “All these and more will be discussed as we consult together to ensure that updated and standardised regulations is designed for the Bureau, which has been at the forefront of aviation safety promotion since its establishment through the conduct of thorough accident investigation and timely release of reports.”
Olateru assured that under the new umbrella, NSIB would continue to work tirelessly to ensure continuous safety of air transport in Nigeria and replicate this safety standard in other modes of transportation, thereby, ensuring overall transportation safety in the country.
One of the participants, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), called for a legal framework to institutionalise the amendment of the regulations.
