NSIB Responds to Airport Safety Concerns - By Daisy BARRO

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has responded to recent concerns regarding the safety of Nigerian airports, following a statement from the US State Department suggesting that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe.

According to Captain Alex Bade Jr., Director General (DG) of the NSIB, while there is always room for improvement, the NSIB disagrees with the assessment, emphasizing that challenges such as perimeter fencing and wildlife intrusion are not unique to Nigeria and occur at airports globally.

"We recognise the need for continuous improvement, and we commend the efforts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in implementing upgrades," Captain Bade Jr. said during an interview on Arise TV. He highlighted that generalizing Nigerian airports as "totally unsafe" is unfair, noting that such issues are prevalent worldwide, including in the United States.

Regarding a recent incident in Asaba where an aircraft encountered animals on the runway, Captain Bade clarified that the aircraft was deemed airworthy and continued its journey to Abuja without incident. "The incident was reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), but since there was no significant issue, it was not reported to the NSIB," he explained, adding that the bureau plans to engage with the private entity managing the airport to discuss best practices.

On the investigation into the helicopter crash involving the late Herbert Wigwe, the DG corrected assertions that the NSIB worked "side-by-side" with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Instead, the NSIB was kept informed as an interested party while the NTSB led the investigation in the US. The NTSB's report attributed the probable cause of the accident to spatial disorientation, also highlighting deficiencies in the company's oversight and safety management processes.

The NSIB boss emphasized the importance of systemic safety measures, stating, "While it's easy to blame the pilot, there is a system behind the pilot that should have mitigated these risks." He noted that the flight risk assessment should have indicated a higher risk level, suggesting systemic issues beyond pilot error.

He also provided an update on the bureau's expanded mandate, which now covers all modes of transport, including air, rail, road, and maritime. "We are developing the necessary frameworks, including maritime investigation regulations, training manuals, investigation procedure policies, and manuals," Captain Bade said, adding that the maritime and rail frameworks are complete, and stakeholder engagement is underway.

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