…..Asaba airport animal incident minor
The Director General, National Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., has disagreed with the US assessment that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe, citing the need to consider context and metrics used in such evaluations.
Captain Bade Jr. in a statement acknowledged that challenges such as perimeter fencing and wildlife intrusion exist at some airports, but emphasized that these issues are not unique to Nigeria and occur at airports globally.
He commended the efforts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in implementing upgrades and recognized the need for continuous improvement.
The NSIB also provided clarification on a recent incident in Asaba, where an aircraft encountered animals on the runway, stating that the incident was reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and did not result in any significant damage.
Captain Bade Jr. noted that such occurrences are rare in Nigeria and that the NSIB plans to reach out to the private entity managing the airport to discuss best practices.
Regarding the investigation into the accident involving the late Herbert Wigwe, Captain Bade Jr. corrected assertions that the NSIB worked “side-by-side” with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stating that the NSIB was an interested party and was kept informed of the process by the NTSB.
The NTSB report he says, indicated that the probable cause of the accident was spatial disorientation, and also highlighted deficiencies in the company’s oversight and safety management processes.
The NSIB has also expanded its mandate to cover all modes of transport, including air, rail, road, and maritime, in line with its establishment act of 2022.
Captain Bade Jr. stated that the bureau is developing necessary frameworks, including maritime investigation regulations and training manuals, and is engaging stakeholders for their buy-in.
Assuring that, the NSIB remains committed to promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria.
