However, he warned that these gains are at risk due to irregular funding and limited state participation. “Some of the activities we plan to do will remain unachievable if we do not receive the necessary support
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Commissioner Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency, Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh, has urged greater support and funding from member states. He made this call at the 18th Banjul Accord Group Plenary in Abuja, outlining successes and challenges facing Regional Accident Investigation Organisations (RAIO) across West Africa.
Irikefe noted that the agency’s work had improved significantly, especially in accident investigation, which has led to improved safety across BAG countries with safety recommendations. Five of the seven member states now have independent accident investigation bodies. This marks a major improvement from 2019, when only two member states had functional authorities.
However, he warned that these gains are at risk due to irregular funding and limited state participation. “Some of the activities we plan to do will remain unachievable if we do not receive the necessary support,” Irikefe stated. “We call on member states to ensure timely remittance of their annual subscription fees and commitment to resolutions from BAGAIA Commission meetings.”
The Commissioner praised the European Union Aviation Safety for Africa (EU-ASA) project for certain funding. It has financed capacity development, workshops, and peer review efforts across the region. “All of the workshops, training sessions, and technical support we’ve delivered in recent years were made possible through the EOSR project. We are grateful to Mr. Yves Koning and his team for their consistent backing,” he added.
Irikefe highlighted the agency’s support to Guinea in February 2022. A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320-200N struck two individuals on a motorcycle who had accessed the runway. The event resulted in fatalities. BAGAIA helped classify the occurrence and supported Guinea in beginning structured investigations.
In Sierra Leone, the state’s Effective Implementation (EI) score improved dramatically from 11.1% to 41% after a successful ICAO audit. Irikefe attributed this jump to BAGAIA’s technical guidance and collaborative work with the Sierra Leonean authorities.
Despite progress, Irikefe acknowledged several obstacles hindering the agency’s mission. He pointed to delays in subscription payments, which hamper project execution and technical support. Equally troubling is the low commitment from some states toward joint missions and cooperative programs.
“There is limited engagement in participatory plans, and many states do not respond to invitations to collaborate,” he noted. Administrative costs are also burdensome. A 10% surcharge on BAGAIA’s projects funds, caused by internal funding constraints and reliance on ICAO-sponsored staffing, has weakened the agency’s resources.
Another pressing issue is poor institutional collaboration. According to Irikefe, some stakeholders fail to adopt or implement resolutions passed at regional meetings. This lack of follow-through delays progress on safety improvements and undermines the objectives of Regional Accident Investigation Organisations (RAIO).
To bridge these gaps, BAGAIA is expanding partnerships. Memoranda of Cooperation have been signed with agencies such as Southern African Development Community Safety Organisation (SASO)inked in Libreville. Talks are ongoing with the Interstate Aviation Committee of Russia to deepen technical exchanges and build investigative capacity.
Additionally, BAGAIA is working with Cranfield University and the Singapore Aviation Academy. These collaborations aim to deliver advanced simulation-based training to strengthen investigators’ response to complex accidents.
Irikefe emphasized that independent and credible investigation bodies boost confidence in air transport systems. “For airlines to consider flying to any BAG state, there must be confidence in its safety oversight systems and investigative autonomy,” he said. “A functioning and independent AIG is a critical safety benchmark.”
The Commissioner disclosed that BAGAIA is cooperating with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in reaching out to other African States. An example is with its technical assistance rendered to Namibia facilitated by AfCAC. The goal is to ensure that more African countries join BAGAIA and actively engage in its initiatives.
He also revealed that the agency had released its third newsletter in 2023. The fourth edition is currently pending due to lack of funding. BAGAIA continues to advocate for sustainable financing models to ensure it delivers on its continental mandate.
As Africa’s only certified Regional Accident Investigation Organisation (RAIO), BAGAIA seeks to grow its influence. It envisions a broader continental role with stronger legal frameworks and guaranteed financial support from all member states.
