FG rejects US assessment of Nigerian airports as unsafe

FG rejects US assessment of Nigerian airports as unsafe

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has responded to recent concerns about airport safety in the country, while also clarifying its involvement in the investigation of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Access Bank co-founder, Herbert Wigwe.

Addressing a statement from the U.S. State Department suggesting that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe, NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, stated during an interview on Arise TV that while there is always room for improvement, the Bureau does not share that viewpoint. He emphasized the importance of considering the context and criteria used in such assessments.

Captain Badeh acknowledged that certain challenges exist, such as perimeter fencing and occasional wildlife intrusions at some airports, but stressed that these issues are not unique to Nigeria, as similar occurrences are reported at airports worldwide, including in the United States.

“It is unfair to generalise that our airports are entirely unsafe. We recognise the need for continuous improvement and commend the efforts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in implementing upgrades,” Badeh said.

He also corrected the claim that the NSIB worked “side-by-side” with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the investigation into the crash involving Wigwe. He said: “We were an interested party and were kept informed of the process by the NTSB, which led the investigation in the U.S.”

The NTSB report indicated that the probable cause of the accident was spatial disorientation and Badeh noted that the report also highlighted deficiencies in the company’s oversight and safety management processes. “It seems there were systemic issues, and the flight risk assessment should have indicated a higher risk. While it’s easy to blame the pilot, there is a system behind the pilot that should have mitigated these risks,” he said.

A statement from the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said that Badeh also provided an update on the NSIB’s expanded mandate. “In line with our establishment act of 2022, we are now the sole accident investigation agency in Nigeria, covering air, rail, road, and maritime sectors. We are developing the necessary frameworks, including maritime investigation regulations, training manuals, investigation procedure policies, and manuals. The maritime and rail frameworks are complete, and we are engaging stakeholders for their buy-in,” he stated.

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