The safety of Nigeria’s airspace received a significant boost as the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, as a part of their ongoing inter-agency collaboration to strengthen air safety measures.
The primary objective of this agreement is to strengthen the existing relationship between NSIB and NAMA, particularly concerning the exchange of information and data sharing during aviation incidents. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance the quality and timeliness of investigations into air accidents, in accordance with the guidelines set out in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 and 19 of the 1994 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The MoU also encompasses provisions for flexible transactions, as long as both agencies agree, emphasising the values of cooperation, transparency, mutual respect, openness and professionalism.
While acknowledging that the MoU is not legally binding, both NSIB and NAMA expressed their commitment to conducting their respective duties in alignment with the principles and values of the agreement.
The signing ceremony took place at the NSIB headquarters in Abuja, with the director-general of NSIB, Engr. Akin Olateru and the managing director/CEO of NAMA, Engr. Odunowo Tayib Mohammed putting their signatures on the agreement.
Notably, NSIB has previously entered into similar MoUs with various agencies and institutions, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), to foster collaboration during emergencies.
Olateru emphasised, “Collaboration remains at the core of our efforts to ensure safety in the aviation industry. We are committed to promoting safety and achieving a zero-accident rate. However, we recognise that achieving this goal requires working together with agencies and institutions that share similar objectives”.
He praised NAMA’s management for its responsiveness in signing the agreement, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to enhance air safety.
