We Are Ready For ICAO Safety Audit- Nigerian CAA DG

...Trains Aviation Journalists in NCAT 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has acknowledged its readiness for the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director General of the NCAA made this disclosure at the opening ceremony of the League of Aviation And Airport Correspondents (LAAC) training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. 

 

“We want to inform Nigerians that preparations for International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) slated for the first quarter of 2022 are in top gear and that we are fully prepared for the impending audits. On the heels of proactiveness, existing regime of robust regulations and over eight year of zero accident in commercial flight operation, we are primed to excel again,” said DG NCAA.

 

The NCAA, who is a major partner with LAAC to strengthen effective aviation reportage, is training journalists through the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State. Harping on importance of the media to aviation development globally, Capt. Nuhu who was represented by Mr. Lulufa Vongtau, Assistant General Manager in the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations (DATR) of the Kaduna Regional Office of the NCAA said: “You will agree with me that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation. The press is the Fourth Estate of the Realm. In other words, the fourth arm of government. This reference was derived from both explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to report issues. You have been with us in this journey and you have been worthy partners. Every success story about aviation in Nigeria cannot be written without the contributions of all of you. “

 

“One of your many contributions is the LAAC Annual Conference which has provided, and still providing veritable platform over the years for stakeholders to converge and dissect pertinent contemporary aviation issues with a view to proffering workable solutions that will move the industry forward. In my opinion, this training is an indication of that spirit of camaraderie that had existed (still existing) between NCAA and LAAC,”said NCAA DG. “The media, particularly LAAC has provided platform which has helped in projecting activities and laudable achievements of NCAA to the public vis-à-vis our oversight functions. Your day-to-day reportage has shown that most of you have a deep knowledge of aviation and its goings-on.” 

 

NCAA helmsman also called on aviation journalists and stakeholders to support the agency to see to the success of the upcoming ICAO audit. “ The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appeals to all stakeholders including the media to join hands with us to ensure a successful audit. From now on, all your reports are very sensitive. Let us eschew sensationalism capable of putting the nation in bad light. Therefore, I will advise anyone to endeavour to verify and confirm his/her stories before publishing, if in doubt. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry.

 

“These balancing, developmental and promotional stories are the hallmark of a burgeoning aviation industry like ours. Let us present our aviation industry as the most improved that it is. There is no doubt that there is increased confidence in the sector as new airlines are coming in and existing operators are expanding their routes. Expectedly, our coast of surveillance programme and other oversight responsibilities as the regulator of the industry have increased correspondingly,”  

 

Mr. Lulufa Vongtau, Assistant General Manager, Directorate of Air Transport, Regulation, Kaduna Regional Office, Kaduna Regional Office (KDRO) representing the DG NCAA; Mr. Imoh Effiong Ekoh, Acting Registrar, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria; Mr. Joseph Imalighew, Deputy Rector; Dr. Kareem Bakare, Head Aviation Management School,  during the Opening Ceremony of 2022 League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Training Course at NCAT Zaria Kaduna.

Mr. Olusegun Koiki, the chairman of LAAC expressed appreciation to the NCAA DG, Capt. Musa Nuhu, for his prompt support for the programme and other agencies such as Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB); Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). 

Koiki further stressed the impact of training on aviation reportage saying: “There is no doubt that the volume of knowledge gathered from the training under this programme has significantly helped us as aviation media practitioners and journalists to disseminate aviation information more professionally and accurately amidst technological advancements in application of safety, security, economics and regulation of the sector. I am confident that this year’s training will further empower us to play our role as the fourth estate of the realm and in advancing the course of the industry.”