Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and First Nation Airways secured IATA Operational Safety Audit Certification, certified by the NCAA.
The regulatory body has disclosed that Allied Air and Cargo Services, Overland Airways, and Dana Air are nearing IOSA certification. Air Peace has completed its workshop and awaits auditing. Airlines receive IOSA certification after meeting safety regulations mandated by the global airline body, IATA.
Recently, an IATA team led by Tanja Grobotek visited Capt. Muhtar Usman, NCAA’s Director General at Aviation House. IOSA certification, linked to the Abuja Declaration, aims to enhance safety for African airlines, supported by IATA’s commitment.
IATA remains focused on its commitment to actively contribute its expertise and resources to help African Nations implement the standards outlined in the Abuja Declaration. One such area is the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a proven tool for raising safety. IATA has worked with a number of airlines in Africa to bring them onto the IOSA registry. Since the Abuja Declaration was signed, eleven airlines have joined, bringing the total to 31 airlines from sub-Saharan Africa benefiting from this rigorous safety audit.
Nigerian airlines now have three added to the ranks with more on the way.
Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Council Interference
However, the new Regional Director strongly criticized Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for overstepping into NCAA’s aviation regulatory responsibilities.
She mentioned, “IATA is in talks with the Hon Minister of State for Aviation to define Agency roles and avoid protocol breaches in Nigeria.”
It’s confusing that another body questions our member airlines, which are accountable to NCAA by International Conventions.
Grobotek commended NCAA for their extensive partnership with IATA on safety and expected more airlines to achieve IOSA certification.
She also highlighted upcoming ICAO roundtable discussions on aviation environmental impacts, with Nairobi and Nigeria as potential hosts in 2016.
Other topics included plans for meetings with new operators to improve safety and the transition from AIS to AIM.
Accompanying the Regional Director, IATA’s Samson Fatokun mentioned upcoming training programs for NCAA this year. He hopes the Authority will approve them.
The DG, Capt. Muhtar Usman, in his response, thanked the IATA team for their visit. He expressed willingness to partner with IATA on issues of Safety, Security and Training
The DG stated that the regulatory Authority has transitioned from AIS to AIM, with staff undergoing implementation training.
DG said, “Safety is not by accident but a product of sufficient planning. Therefore, NCAA remains committed to collaborating with IATA on training, crucial for safety and security. The trainings will be adapted locally as needed to enhance cost-effectiveness.
The IATA team included its Aviation Solutions Manager (Southwest Africa) Ewemade Atake.
With the DG were some top management staff of the Authority which included the Director of Air Transport Regulations, Mr Ogidi Justus – Wariya, Director of Consumer Protection, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, Director of Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Nuhu-Ozigi , Technical Assistant to the DG, Engr. Ben Tukur, GM Public Relations ,Mr Sam Adurogboye and others.
