The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it is amending the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 2019, to improve safety in the aviation industry.
The Director-General, NSIB, Mr Akin Olateru, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, during a stakeholders’ consultation forum on the amendment of the regulations.
Olateru explained that the amendments would help to ensure that the Bureau’s Regulations align with the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as contained in the ICAO Annex 13.
This, according to him, will address the challenges in aircraft accident investigation, the evolution of new technologies, and changes in the industry.
He said that the changes included the provision of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) establishment Act 2022.
“The transition of the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) to the NSIB, a multi-modal safety investigation agency, was made possible by the provisions of the Act,“ he said.
He said that some of the new provisions in the draft amended regulations include the provision of family assistance to accident victims and their families, and safety data collection and processing system.
Others, he said, were the competent authority, mandatory reporting system and voluntary reporting system.
“All these and more, will be discussed as we continue to consult to ensure an updated and standardized regulations for the Bureau.
“This has been at the forefront of aviation safety promotion since its establishment, through the conduct of thorough accident investigation and timely release of reports, “he said.
One of the participants, retired Capt. John Ojikutu, an aviation expert, called for a legal framework to institutionalize the amendment of the regulations.
