Air accident investigation gets boost as AIB, France partner
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Bureau d’enquêtes et d’analyses pour la Sécurité de l’aviation Civile (BEA) France, in Paris, signed an Executive Technical Cooperation Programme geared towards fostering mutual cooperation between both countries in respect of air accident investigation and capacity building.
Akin Olateru, commissionER/CEO of AIB while signing the Executive Technical Cooperation Programme (ETCP) in Paris, said that the pact was aimed at strengthening the relationship with its counterpart in France; with the intention of tapping into, and benefiting from its wealth of experience, expertise, and technical know-how in aviation accident
investigation, for the common good of AIB and other African countries that might be happy to draw assistance from AIB’S resources.
Impressed by the quality of work coming out of AIB Nigeria, relative to aviation accident investigation and the effectiveness of its service delivery, France through BEA, came up with the ETCP to assist and support AIB through capacity building, information sharing and knowledge transfer.
Olateru said, “What we just did today is to help both countries fulfil our obligations as regards the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) convention on accident investigation and walk the talk with the theme ‘No Country Left Behind.”
Remi Jouty, the BEA director, commended the strategic direction and performance of AIB-N, particularly in the last two years. In his remarks, Jouty expressed joy at the sealing of the pact. “Akin, you are doing a great job here establishing a solid structure that will survive your administration,’ he said.
The ETCP Agreement borders around cooperation in the conduct of aircraft accident and incident investigation, investigation training and sharing of information and expertise, consistent with Annex 13; and assisting each other in the use of air safety investigation, manpower, facilities, recorders, management organisation, Aviation Security and Safety.