ABUJA- The House of Representatives yesterday called for the Establishment of Technical and Operational Status of Nigerian Registered Commercial Aircrafts to Boost the Safety, Protection as well as Confidence of Passengers Flying the Nigerian Airspace
This was sequence to the motion moved on the floor of the House by
Hon. Abubakar Amuda-Kannike G. (Kwara State) who informed his colleagues that compliance with safety standards in the Aviation subsector was sacrosanct, given its sensitivity as well as extremely low tolerance for margins of error.
Hon. Amuda-Kannike further said that Aviation Safety measures were rather proactive measures to mitigate against air mishaps as well as to enhance smooth operations and comfort of Passengers.
” The recently incidents in the aviation subsector are indicative that a holistic review and assessment of the level of compliance and adherence to safety standards are pertinent”
“Ideally there must be periodic aircraft maintenance which includes overhaul, repair, inspection, or modification of an aircraft or aircraft component and maintenance which incorporates such tasks as ensuring compliance with airworthiness directives”
The National regulations was coordinated under international standards maintained by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), he added.
“There exists a high degree of complicity between airline operators in Nigeria and the regulatory bodies charged with the safety of our airspace and passengers; particularly, the Directorate of Quality Assurance of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as well as the Accident Investigation Bureau; which has compromised the safety standards of our aviation sector”
He was perturbed that non-compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements exposes consumers and equipment to high level risks, potential dangers and discomfort, which can easily be averted by carrying out appropriate due diligence periodically.
Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara who presided over the plenary session later Mandated the Committees on Aviation and Commerce to investigate as well as carry out critical audit of all registered aircrafts.
The Committees were also to ascertained their airworthiness, compliance with applicable operational methods, set safety standards and procedures as well as evaluate the operational environment of the aviation subsector with a view to enhancing improved operational standards as well as convenience of users.
