Erhueh emphasised that investing in new, capital-intensive equipment such as black box labs is premature when existing facilities are not used to capacity.
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Commissioner, Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh, has urged African states to maximise the use of existing aircraft accident investigation laboratories while proposing strategic expansion of regional cooperation models.
Speaking during a panel session at the ongoing RSOOS-RAIO Validation Workshop in Kampala, Uganda, Erhueh stressed that African states must avoid unnecessary duplication of resources and instead leverage already established facilities for effective aircraft accident investigations.
“Africa has two well-established aircraft accident investigation laboratories—one with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and another with the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA),” Erhueh said.
He noted that despite their advanced capabilities, the labs are underutilised due to the current volume of incident investigations being relatively low. Erhueh emphasised that investing in new, capital-intensive equipment such as black box labs is premature when existing facilities are not used to capacity.
“These labs already exist and are underutilised. Rather than duplicate efforts and incur extra costs, other African states should begin using them to their full potential,” he urged.
Three-pronged strategy for strengthening cooperation
Erhueh outlined a three-pronged strategy to build a more cohesive and effective African aircraft accident investigation framework. His second approach focused on **strengthening and expanding BAGAIA into a continental RAIO**, with the support of Regional Economic Communities (RECs). This model would see BAGAIA’s cooperative approach replicated across the WACAF and ESAF regions.
“The idea is to create a continental cooperative network of investigation authorities, supported by RECs and driven by the African Union,” he said. He reiterated the importance of adopting the BAGAIA model, which has already demonstrated its effectiveness, stressing that “there is no need to reinvent the wheel.”
Erhueh also highlighted the urgent need to develop the technical capacity of aircraft accident investigators across Africa, stating that enhancing manpower is crucial for maintaining impartial and effective investigations.
Funding model and tax concerns
During discussions on Air Safety Charges, Erhueh addressed concerns that current studies misrepresented efforts to minimise the Passenger Tax Burden. He stated that the study in question failed to reflect continental strategies under the AU and RECs aimed at easing tax pressures on passengers.
“Contrary to ongoing regional and continental initiatives, the study seems to suggest increasing financial burdens through higher Air Safety Charges,” he said.
Director General of the AIG Bureau of Senegal (BEA -Senegal), Mr. Mamadou Gningue, supported Erhueh’s position, advocating for a revision of the current revenue-sharing formula instead of imposing additional costs on passengers.
Farid Zizi of France Aviation Civil Services (FACS), who presented the study, acknowledged this gap and promised to incorporate the feedback into future recommendations.
Challenges to RAIO development
Earlier, aviation safety advocate Zizi Farad had drawn attention to systemic challenges impeding the development of Regional Accident Investigation Organisations (RAIOs). He noted that only one fully functional RAIO exists on the continent, largely due to high operational costs and limited technical sustainability.
“Big states have one, but not so much. It’s a huge investment and very difficult to maintain,” Farad noted.
He stressed the burden of investigating incidents involving both ageing and new-generation aircraft, which require a wide array of tools and technical expertise. He also highlighted the need for international cooperation, particularly with aircraft manufacturers.
Despite the challenges, Farad reinforced a key requirement for all investigation bodies: the ability to conduct impartial and independent investigations.
