The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said it would be partnering with the Nigerian airspace management agency ( NAMA) to boost the nation’s air space.
The Bureau’s Director General, Engr. Akin Olateru and the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Odunowo Mohammed, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their various organizations, according to a statement by NSIB’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Tunji Oketunbi on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the main purpose of the agreement was to consolidate the existing relationship between NSIB and NAMA on the exchange of information, and data sharing during occurrences, among others.
This development, the statement said, would help in the quality and timeliness of investigation of air mishaps in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO Annex 13 and 19 of the 1994 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Also included in the MoU was the flexibility in all transactions with the mutual agreement of both agencies, upholding the values of cooperation, honesty, mutual respect, openness, and professionalism.
NSIB and NAMA while signing the deal noted that though the MoU is not legally binding, the two agencies however agreed to perform their respective functions in a manner consistent with the values and principles of the agreement.
The NSIB recently signed a MoU with Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on cooperation during emergencies even as the agency has signed similar agreements with various agencies and institutions within and outside the country.
Olateru said,” Collaboration remains the centre point of our drive towards enthroning safety in the aviation industry. We remain committed to promoting safety in the aviation industry to the point of attaining and maintaining zero accidents.”
He added: ”We, however, cannot do it alone. That is why we have chosen the path of collaboration with agencies and institutions with similar objectives.”
He commended NAMA management for rising to the occasion by signing the agreement.
