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Why AIB’s accident reports can’t be faulted, by Olateru
Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru said none of the accident reports it released was faulted by individual or organisation in recent time.
He attributed this to the new approach adopted by the current management which he explained removed accident reports from the apron string of individuals to collective contributory.
He explained that because of the quality of works done by investigators, no engine or aircraft manufacturer had faulted the reports of the agency on aircraft incident or accident.
“The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika recently told me that we should not rush our reports so that it can’t be faulted by anyone. So, I took the time to take him through the process to show him that our reports can’t be faulted.
“Our reports are not done individually again. Now, we have groups comprising of experienced and inexperienced investigators. No one personalises reports again. And after the groups have finished their work with the draft reports, we send them to stakeholders for their comments and observations. On getting feedbacks, we now do a general review, which involves virtually all the investigators, before it goes out for proof reading.”
He made disclosure when the leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), led by its President, Abednego Galadima paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Murtala Muhamed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The AIB had in August released three accident reports. It had seven months before that time released reports involving the crash involving Dana, bringing the total accident reports in less than eight months to seven.
Olateru also said that accident reports of the bureau have received commendations in recent time due to the processes adopted by the management before releasing such to the public.
He stated that the country’s aviation industry would not be where it is now if members of NAAPE made up of aircraft engineers and pilots in various organisation displayed professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
His words, “Without NAAPE, I don’t think there would be aviation sector. NAAPE is the most important union in the industry. I am not however saying that other unions are not important. But, everything surrounds aircraft. If there is no aircraft, there is no aviation. NAAPE comes first in the industry. So, I will want you to also enjoin your member to be more professional in the discharge of their duties.”
Olateru noted that aviation industry anywhere in the world is technical and volatile, stressing that whatever developments that takes place in other sector affects aviation industry.
He further disclosed that Sirika was working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that interest rates on loans obtained by investors in the sector was not more than 9 per cent, stressing that this would go a long way in improving standards in the sector.
He maintained that it required expertise for an investor to run an airline business successfully and enjoined investors in the sub-sector to allow proven professionals to run their business.
In his remarks, the NAAPE boss commended Olateru for bringing stability to AIB within a short period of time.
He promised that the association would work closely with the management especially in the area of accident prevention and would also sensitise his members on non-hazard and violation according to Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He added: “We want to see that the industry grows. We are here to see that aviation in Nigeria grows and gets a win-win for employees and employers in the industry. We recognise that AIB has paucity of funds, but despite this, the bureau has been paying the license fee to NAAPE members in the agency.
“I will also use this opportunity to call for the release of promotion letters to our members in your organisation as the year is running out. Also, I seek proper placement as it affects our members. We will support you, but as friends, we will also tell you the truth.”
