The commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Mr. Akin Olateru has called for a special fund for accident investigation in the country as funds budgeted are grossly inadequate.
Speaking while presenting final accident reports of Dana air crash and three others in Lagos, Mr. Olateru said accident investigation is capital intensive.
He said funds earmarked for accident investigation for 2017 in the propose budget was less than N16 million, adding that much more is required if the bureau is to effectively and efficiently carry out its duties.
Citing other countries and funds spent on investigation, Mr. Olateru said Transport Safety Board of Canada (TSB) spent over US$50million for investgating the MD 11 Swiss SR111 of 1998 and over US$110million was spent for the Malaysia MH 370 on search alone.
” AIB’s budget on accident investigation for 2017 is N16million which is around about USD$47,000″.
While appreciating past and present administration for the establishment and continual support of the Bureau, the AIB pleaded with the Minister of state, aviation, senator Hadi Sirika to use his good office to see the possibility of creating a special fund for accident investigation.
He noted, “The Bureau needs funds for the purpose of exploring preventive measures for accident or serious incident and for its readiness in cases where an accident or serious incident occurs. My prayer is that the government will come to the aid of AIB and support the bureau so that we can deliver on our targets”.
On training, Olateru said training of staff is usually in pounds and dollars and with a staff strength of 65, the critical staff need to get the requisite training according to ICAO standard.
The budget for AIB as a whole is less than N2 billion”.
