The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has authenticated the progress and development of aviation in Nigeria.

The authentication was contained in a preliminary audit result released at the closing meeting of the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) conducted on Nigeria.

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

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

During the presentation, the Team 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 needed to be closed, the auditors unanimously showed satisfaction with the level of improvement in the aviation industry.

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 had been received from Nigeria.

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

“Thereafter, 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 Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain 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 DG in his opening remarks expressed his appreciation and acknowledged the demonstration of unparalleled dedication and the high sense of responsibility with which the auditors acquitted themselves during the audit.

He assured the auditors that all the open items would be closed forthwith. This will be adequately communicated in the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to be forwarded by the Authority as required, he said.

“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,” Captain Usman emphasised.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, also assured the auditors that all areas that required improvement would be addressed.

Other Chief Executives present at the meeting were the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, Dr. Felix Abali, the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr Emmanuel Anasi and Directors from all the parastatals.

•Text courtesy of Channels TV. Photo shows NCAA DG, Captain Muhtar Usman.

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