US FAA team begins audit as NCAA, others declare readiness

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

A team of official from the US Federal Aviation Administration yesterday commenced the recertification audit of the Nigeria’s aviation just as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) and other agencies have expressed readiness for the audit.

FAA awarded Nigeria Category One safety status in 2010 having certified the country’s meeting the International Aviation Safety Assessment standards and four years later.

The body decided to re-audit Nigeria in response to critical media reports about the aviation industry in the country, according to its letter to NCAA to announce the recertification.

Category One safety status has improved Nigeria’s aviation industry and allows Nigerian registered aircraft to fly directly to the United States of America.

NCAA Acting Director General Engr. Benedict Adeyileka told journalists yesterday the team will examine 8 critical elements ranging from primary aviation legislation, technical personnel qualification to the

resolution of safety concerns that might arise.

Also, spokesman of the aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati said the Category One status was awarded to Nigeria after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit certified its airspace worthiness.

“Within the space of three years after this certification, the various parastatals under the ministry of aviation have attained significant milestones,” Dati stated.

Dati said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the rest agencies has between the years 2010 and 2014 reached a new high, as the organisation is committed to making a conscious effort in

keeping both passengers and the Nigerian public safe and secure at the airports.

“Another pertinent milestone is the IOSA certification and interlining which had never been done in Nigeria. Two local airlines have been successfully certified under this programme and the exercise is currently on going. With the restructuring of the NCAA, Nigeria will have an affective, proactive aviation safety regulator similar to what is found in any advanced countries of the world,” he also said.