By ITOHAN ABARA-LASERIAN

The Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) on Friday met with the Director-General, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to express concerns over aircraft excursions (runway Skid off).

The National President of NAFSA, Comrade Ugbeikwu Sunday said that the spate of excursions in Lagos airports had become worrisome and a cause of concern to firefighters.

Commending the NSIB D-G, Capt. Alex Badeh, Sunday also called for the immediate implementation of the safety recommendations by the bureau.

He said after the Dana and XEJet runway incident, there was a similar aircraft incident in Abuja over a week ago.

He said the Abuja incident involved Azman Air B737 with Reg. No. 5N-YSM, even though the nature of the emergency was different from those that occurred in Lagos.

“It was high time the Safety Recommendations issued by the NSIB were implemented because the frequent rate of Aircraft Incidents portends danger to the aviation sector.

“Despite the readiness of Firefighters in responding to emergencies, the fatal nature of aircraft accidents, NAFSA would encourage those saddled with the responsibility of compliance to the Safety Recommendations to do so,” he said.

Badeh in his response, said that the visit of NAFSA to NSIB was welcomed as it provided the opportunity for NAFSA and NSIB to collaborate in sensitisation towards ensuring that safety.

According to him, the NSIB will continue to do its job diligently while counting on the regulators across all modes of transportation for implementation of Safety Recommendations.

Badeh further urged NAFSA to engage the regulator, NCAA and other aviation agencies in the implementation of the Safety Recommendations.

He also expressed the belief that if things were done timeously and appropriately, better results would be achieved.

He commended the firefighters, adding that their response to the Dana Air incident in Lagos was laudable, even though the crew stated that an emergency was not declared. (NAN)

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