The Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) has affirmed readiness with partners to implement Safety Management System (SMS) to enhance aviation safety.
The Commissioner/CEO, AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru who gave the assurance at the Nigerian Aviation Workshop Symposium (NAWS) 2020 on Tuesday in Abuja, explained that Safety Management System (SMS) refers to a set of processes and tools that are adopted to formally manage a structured safety program.
The program was themed : “A Safety Management System Approach to Responses to Aviation Accidents and Incidents within Nigerian Airspace.”
He further assured its partnerships with the aviation regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other partnerships locally and internationally is also leading to better safety compliance in Nigeria in line with ICAO safety recommendations.
He explained that safety management in the aviation industry is a combination of two perspectives- traditional and modern.
He further explained that the framework for the implementation and maintenance of an Safety Management System in line with Annex 19 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and Safety Management Manual (SMM) (Doc 9859) has four components: Safety policy and objectives, Safety risk management, Safety assurance and Safety promotion.
According to him, the primary aim of NAWS 2020 today is to provide the Nigerian aviation industry workforce and stakeholders with a systematic approach compliant with the aviation regulations and laws of the state of Nigeria while responding to aviation accidents and incidents as well as disaster recovery.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Engr. Hassan Musa who was represented by Capt. Talba Alkali, the Director of Safety and Technical Services, explained that the active implementation of SMS by the service providers will definitely showcase the safety risks associated with their operations and with the right resources available.
He also said the SMS will implement appropriate mitigating actions to address these safety risks and thereby ensuring safe aircraft operations.
According to him, the AIB being the body with the statutory responsibility to investigate occurrences had investigated these accidents and had issued safety recommendations, where necessary.
