Nigeria has been given a clean bill of health by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on safety oversight.

NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye, said a preliminary audit report presented by the four-man team at the closing meeting of the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), authenticated the progress and development of aviation in Nigeria.

These results, he said ‘clearly indicated that Nigeria has done well according to the auditors’.

He explained that the presentation was presided over by the team leader of the auditors, Mr Jean-Claude Waffo.He was joined by three team members to present the assessment of the aviation industry in Nigeria.

Each member gave an individual assessment of all the delineated areas. These are: Legislation (LEG), Organisation (ORG), Accident and Incident Investigation (AIG), Air Navigational Services (ANS) and Aerodrome and Ground Aids (AGA).

During the presentation, the leader and the members articulated all their systemic findings in the course of the 11-day USOAP Audit conducted on Nigeria.

“While there were areas that were identified as open items that need to be closed, the Auditors were unanimously very satisfied with the level of improvement in the aviation industry in Nigeria. The Auditors were highly impressed with the stellar preparation for the audit by all concerned and claimed that this made the exercise a huge success,” he said.

However, the final report will be produced and sent to Canada for review and final assent. This will be done only when comments on the draft report have been received from Nigeria.

According to the Mr. Waffo, “draft results will be produced 90 days after today’s presentation.

“Therafter, Nigeria is expected to produce a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) which will provide room for comments and observations within 45 days.

“The final report is only to be expected and produced after 30 days of receipt and acknowledgement of comments.”

At the end of the presentation, the auditors thanked the Director General of the NCAA, Capt.Muhtar Usman and all the chief executives of the aviation parastatals.

Commendations were also extended to the Nigerian team that worked with the auditors during the audit.

Earlier, the NCAA chief in his opening remarks expressed appreciation and acknowledged the demonstration of unparalleled dedication and high sense of responsibility with which the auditors acquitted themselves during the audit.

He assured the auditors that all the open items will be closed forthwith. This will be adequately communicated in the CAP to be forwarded by the authority as required.

“All the lessons learnt from this exercise will be used to enhance the development, safety and security of aviation not only in Nigeria but the whole of Africa,” he said.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr.Saleh Dunoma in his vote of thanks reiterated that all areas that require improvement will be expedited and adequately carried out.
Source: The Nation