New condition of service, a morale booster for AIB staff -Olateru

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

The new conditions of service approved by the federal government for Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) will serve as a morale booster for staff of the country’s air accidents and serious incidents investigative agency, it Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Akin Olateru has assured.
The new status was conveyed in a letter dated 25 June, 2019 sent to the bureau from the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
It is the first time AIB will enjoy it own CoS since its establishment via the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and became operational in 2007 as an autonomous agency having been a department under the then Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Hitherto, the bureau, which has achieved landmark successes in serious incidents and accidents by assisting sister bodies across Africa under the current Olateru led administration had been using the CoS of another sister agency.
A delighted Engr. Akin Olateru thanked the Head of Civil Service, the Ministry of Transportation, the unions and the staff of AIB for the landmark achievement and emphasised that the AIB management was committed to improving the welfare of the entire staff.
His words, ‘‘this is one of the proofs that we value our staff and are committed to a robust welfare package for them. Since we came onboard, we have relentlessly been pursuing accelerated capacity development, provision of conducive environment for working and a world standard working conditions for our staff.’’
The Commissioner charged the staff to reciprocate the gesture by redoubling their efforts in discharging their duties and responsibilities and also support the management in its bid to repositioning the Bureau to meet the global standards in accident investigation.
According to Olateru ‘this is very important for the entire staff of the Bureau towards improving their welfare and a motivation in discharging their best at their various duties to enhance air safety.’
The agency General Manager for Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi noted the the leadership of the local chapters of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and NAAPE also expressed gratitude to the management for its commendable support in realising the long awaited Staff Conditions of Service.
They remarked that it was indeed a landmark achievement for this administration and the entire staff of the Bureau.
Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is the Federal government agency charged with the responsibility of investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria and anywhere it is invited with a view to preventing future reoccurrence.