NCAA Attributes Safety Record to Strict Compliance to Regulation

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that the safety record attained in Nigeria since the past three years was due to strict compliance to safety regulations.

The regulatory authority said it applied strict adherence to safety regulations to ensure that the country does not experience any air accident as was the case in the past.

Reacting to the allegation that it contributed to the collapse of some of the airlines that existed in the past, the authority insisted that airlines that failed to abide by the rules would inevitably go under; noting that relaxing the rules to carry such airlines along would have resulted in tragic accidents.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye explained at the weekend that the regulatory authority must ensure that airlines comply to the rules in order to ensure they fly safely.

“At the time NCAA started in January, year 2000, we had about 150 airlines in our register. In 2006, they came down to 28; the rest went under. It was not because NCAA didn’t do their regulation well. At a point the number reduced to 12 and today we have eight airlines. It is because we do what we needed those that cannot meet the rules were forced to go under,” Adurogboye said.

He noted that NCAA must ensure strict compliance to regulations if airlines must fly safely and any compromise on that has tragic implications, so it would be ironical to blame NCAA, which ensured the rules are implemented and in implementing the rules those that could not cope were weeded out, which is the objective of the regulations.

“If anyone is saying NCAA didn’t nip any airline going under in the bud, then it means you are saying we should run business for the owners and that is against the prescriptions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). We don’t run airline for the owners or run feasibility service for the owners. When you want to start the business you indicate interest by sending application to NCAA. When we get the letter we invite you for a meeting, we consider the application and we ensure you are able to demonstrate the capacity to run a smooth operation. You have to acquire the aircraft, clear the staff, and have liquidity to back it up and pay the necessary fees,” he said.

According to him, all the necessary security checks for the airlines are conducted here and abroad “and the source of your fund will be established. Before you bring any plane to Nigeria, our inspectors will do flight inspection over there. If the plane is air worthy, we clear it to be brought into the country. On arrival, we carry out comprehensive system check on the airplane and we go in that order to issue Air Operating Certificate, (AOC) for each aircraft.”

“Before you get your AOC, it means you have demonstrated capability to run safe and smooth operations. The laws are so clear, if you are not able to fulfill safe operations as your operations continue; then naturally you will find your way out of the business. For example, if you do not have insurance for airplane, naturally that airplane will be on ground. Every airplane has their maintenance schedule,” Adurogboye said.