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Tag: NCAA

  • Category One: Nigeria knows fate soon

    •US inspectors end visit

    The four-man team of inspectors from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (US FAA), has concluded its safety audit of the re- certification of Nigeria.

    The team has advised NCAA to improve its civil aviation regulations and training of its technical personnel.

    The team, according to the Acting Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Benedict Adeyileka, will submit its report to a higher authority that will release the report of the re-certification audit in the next 10 days.

    Adeyileka said there was nothing to worry about the audit, as some of the issues raised by the team on some critical elements were known to the NCAA .

    The NCAA , he said had looked at the training of NCAA personnel, which he said is a going concern that the authority continues to address.

    He said the team picked issues with administrative non-compliance, which is being addressed at different levels .

    Adeyileka said the NCAA would work on debriefing the issues noted in the audit to ensure that everything works in line with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    He said he could not categorically declare whether Nigeria would retain the category one safety rating , as it does not rest with the NCAA, but other authorities that will look at the report.

    The team, he said, looked at all issues bordering on the issuing of air operators’ certificate, the operations of domestic airlines and other issues .

    Adeyileka said despite the volume of work carried out by the team, it is still not safe to be talking about retention of category one safety rating.

    He said: “It was a whole week of hard work. The US FAA team carried out audit on all aspects of our operations, and we can assure that having looked at the eight critical elements considered during during the audit, there is really nothing to worry about.

    “The team looked at all issues raised in the media about the NCAA , and they were very surprised that the only area of concern is administrative non compliance.”

  • NCAA, FAAN ready for Nigeria’s re-certification

    NCAA, FAAN ready for Nigeria’s re-certification

    •Audit team arrives from US

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are ready for the re-certification of Nigeria by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (US FAA).

    The audit began this week as the team of inspectors from the US would visit major airports to re-evaluate safety and security issues and processes andprocedures in line with prescribed rules by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    The FAA awarded Nigeria Category One safety status in 2010 after it certified the country for meeting the International Aviation Safety Assessment standards.

    Spokesman of the aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati, told The Nation that the status has declared Nigeria’s airspace worthy.

    “Within the space of three years after this certification, the various parastatals under the Ministry of Aviation have attained significant milestones,” Dati said, adding that FAAN has between 2010 and 2014, reached a new height, as the organisation is committed to making a conscious effort in keeping both passengers and the public safe and secured at the airports.

    “FAAN is fully compliant with ICAO standards for fire-fighting and rescue operations. Before July 2011, there were only 20 fire tenders available, but now, FAAN has 46 fire tenders. In addition, 450 brand new kits, (equipment as well as personal protective clothing) have been provided for all firemen and women. This has been done to enable firemen efficiently carry-out their duties in securing and safe-guarding the airport terminals, staff and passengers,” he said.

    He noted that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), through the new Air Traffic Management system deployed under the TRACON project, has improved the safety.

    “The TRACON project has been completed with approach radar control in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Area Radar commenced in ontrol Centres. This has significantly increased airspace capacity for the Nigerian aviation industry,” he said.

    He said TRACON has improved safety in the sector in addition to the deployment of control tower solar power for navigational aids, which were unavailable for a long time, and now Nigeria has six navigational aids and 11 control towers to its credit.He said in the review period, NCAA recorded major achievements after the Category one certification in 2010, adding that one of these achievements, is the deployment of flight tracking system, Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) which was unavailable in the country before the FAA certification.

    “Another pertinent milestone is the IOSA certification and interlining which has 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 added.

  • Insurers tackle aviation agencies on encroachment

    Insurers tackle aviation agencies on encroachment

    • Urge NAICOM on challenges

    Insurers have criticised moves by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other government agencies under the Ministry of Aviation to provide insurance to passengers and public liability for nuclear risks.

    Describing it as an encroachment, they said this was how the health insurancce, pension and the workmen’s compensation scheme were ceded to other bodies, thereby denying the industry the right to prospect.

    The insurers under the umbrella body of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), spoke through their Chairman, Mr. Remi Olowude at an interactive session between the Board Members of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and some chief executive officers of insurance firms. The event was organised by the commission.

    Olowude listed the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) as new bodies holding sway in businesses that should be administered by insurance firms.

    He also criticised the government’s nonchalant attitude to paying premium, restriction on investments and recognition of offshore investments, insurance of oil and gas imports, and enforcement of compulsory insurance.

    He said other issues that bother them include the gradual dominance of foreign investors in the industry, unwillingness by the government to bail out firms that lost huge assets as a result of the financial meltdown and crash of the stock market, multiple taxation of insurance firms by various tiers of governments.

    Olowude, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI), said  NCAA was planning to establish a fund for passengers’ liability.

    He said all over the world, aviation passengers’ liability is subject to international conventions and the risks are covered by conventional insurance policies, noting that Nigeria cannot be an exception.

    He added that the Nuclear Agency also wants to establish a fund for nuclear damage insurance, instead of seeking cover for risks, which are covered in the international market.

    Oluwode stressed the need for the government to pay premium promptly.

    He said: “The government and its agencies have been paying lip service to the importance and benefits of insurance without serious patronage and support. There is hardly sufficient budget provision for payment of premium by government and its agencies.

    “Therefore, when insurance services are patronised, payment of the premium becomes an issue, a clear negation of the provisions of the law on ‘No premium, No cover’. Some parastatals or enterprises are funded without allocation for insurance. Many insurance policies contracted by the MDAs in the past were not renewed, thus leaving the assets exposed to risk, damage and losses without protection.

    He said there was an urgent need to review the restriction on investment to ensure safe, but adequate returns to stakeholders for the viability of the industry. Investments on equities suffered losses in 2008 and 2009, yet insurers are expected to maintain the same proportionate level of investment in prescribed sectors.’’

    He called for an amendment to the provisions of Insurance Act 2003 and Regulation of insurance company investments in line with the realities of business, adding that NAICOM needs to review its position on off-shore investment for solvency calculation and actuarial valuation, which he said, is under discussion with the Commissioner and his team.

    On the insurance of oil and gas imports, Olowude said there was the need to activate the various laws relating to marine insurance of refined petroleum products imported.

    “The Insurance Act 2003, for instance, provides that all imports must be insured with an insurance company registered in Nigeria. This law is only observed in the breach. Consequently, we are seeking enforcement of the Cabotage Act 2003, review of the Insurance Act 2003 and the Nigerian Oil Industry Content Development Act 2010.

    “We have also observed the gradual dominance of foreign investors in the market. Although Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) is in the interest of the economy, we want to believe that the foreign investors are not placed at an advantage over their Nigerian counterparts. We welcome foreign investors provided that there is a level playing field for all.

    “Also, many institutions and enterprises benefited from bail out plans by their governments after the economic crises and financial meltdown of 2008. In Nigeria, the banking industry, aviation and manufacturing industries benefited from the bailout by the Federal Government. Many insurance firms are still groaning from the losses suffered as a result of the crash in the stock market.

    “Recovery has been difficult and returning to profit remains a herculean task. We appeal to the Federal Government through your good offices to look towards the direction of insurers in this regard, Oluwode added.

    NAICOM Chairman, Hon Chibudom Nwuche, said the event was aimed at providing a platform for exchange on the performance of the industry, and to brainstorm on areas requiring urgent attention for improvement and mutual support.

    He said the thrust of the Commission’s activities is to support the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, providing an appropriate regulatory framework for insurance institutions.

    He said the sector is a very important, and trhat it must be properly regulated to enable it to play a pivotal role in the economy.

    He said: “We are not unmindful of the fact that there are, indeed, some challenges encountered by you in the course of doing your business. But you will agree with me that while some of these challenges are certainly beyond your immediate control, a lot of the challenges are self-inflicted. So, the onus is really on you to address these challenges.

    “On our part, we will go and critically look at some of the challenges you have highlighted to provide solution to all the problems.But we will continue to resolutely support the resolve of NAICOM’s management to ensure effective supervision of the industry in order to protect policyholders and Government Strategic Assets.’’

    He continued: “While NAICOM continues to operate within confines of all extant laws, all practitioners in the sector must operate with the rules and internal norms as a means towards deepening public trust and enhancing contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “In carrying out this statutory responsibility, I must emphasise that there should be no one, or group to be excluded from compliance with the rules and regulations.Indeed, there shall be no sacred cows, as nobody will be allowed to be above the laws.’’

  • NCAA grounds MedView Air

    NCAA grounds MedView Air

    A false fire alarm on an Abuja-bound MedView Airline Boeing 737 from Lagos yesterday earned it immediate grounding by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The acting Director General of NCAA, Benedict Adeyileka, said the action was to enable the agency’s engineers and inspectors as well as engineers of the airline carry out checks on the aircraft.

    The plane made an air return five minutes after take- off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, following a false fire alarm.

    There were 94 passengers and five crew members on board.

    Smoke was noticed in the cabin triggering the alarm, spokesman for the airline, Mr. Oyibotha Obuke, said.

    All the appropriate agencies including Airport fire fighters were promptly alerted and were ready for assistance on the tarmac by the time the plane landed.

    All the 94 passengers on board were promptly evacuated without disrupting other flights at the airport.

    An alternative plane was provided for them to go to Abuja.

    One of the passengers, Mr. Longe Olarenwaju confirmed that smoke was noticed on takeoff but by the time the pilot was returning for landing, the smoke had disappeared.

    He commended the pilot for the professional way he handled the situation.

    Air return is a standard professional practice the world over.

    The aircraft now parked at MMA 2 just returned from a major check three weeks ago.

    The NCAA acting DG said yesterday that the agency’s engineers had opened up the panels of the aircraft to find out the cause of the fire alarm.

    He said that findings so far suggested that the aircraft was in good order, and would be re-certified and released for operations after completion of the necessary checks.

    He said the pilot acted in good faith by aborting the flight after passengers exhibited signs of panic, on board.

    He said: “We prefer a false alarm to an incident. Air return does not constitute an emergency. The NCAA and its team of inspectors are visibly in the ramp at the airport carrying out routine inspection. Air return is a precautionary safety measure.”

     

  • Nigerians spend N10bn annually on armoured vehicles

    Nigerians spend N10bn annually on armoured vehicles

    •Politicians, other high net worth individuals top buyers

    CLOSE to N10bn is being spent yearly in Nigeria on the procurement and maintenance of armoured vehicles, an expert has said.

    Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, Group Managing Director, Proforce Defence Limited, Ode Remo, Ogun State, makers of armoured vehicles in Nigeria, told The Nation that many high networth individuals, including military formations, among others, currently own state-of-the art bullet-proof cars.

    “When you talk about armoured vehicles in Nigeria, we’re not only taking about the individual, we’re talking about the military, about the police, and paramilitary,” he said.

    “You are talking about a business that is worth close to, I would say, about $50m to $60m (N9, 720, 000, 000) in Nigeria alone. Don’t forget that all these vehicles need to be maintained. We’re not just talking about importing of armoured vehicles, we’re talking of after-sales.

    “Even when you look at the number of individuals that import armoured vehicles into Nigeria in a year, it would go up to 1, 000.”

    This, he said, does not take into account those being imported by quasi-government parastatals.

    The purchase of two bullet-proof BMW cars for N255 million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last year sparked an uproar across the country leading to the removal of the then Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah .

    Many top politicians, businessmen, and clerics now ride bullet-proof cars.

    Ogundeyin decried the unbridled importation of vehicles, saying it was detrimental to the economy.

    He said: “By importing all these cars into Nigeria a lot of foreign exchange is being wasted, job opportunities that should have been created for Nigerians are not being created because job opportunities are now being exported.”

    Ogundeyin, who set up Proforce Defence Limited in 2008 to produce armoured vehicles, sided with the Federal Government on the recent automotive policy which kicked off in January and imposed huge importation duties of up to 70 percent on some automobiles.

    “I agree with the auto policy entirely,” he said. “A situation whereby we are not developing the country and we’re developing another man’s country does not make sense for us in the long run.”

    He likened unrestrained importation to destroying the future of younger Nigerians. “If you think long-term, you’ll know that you’re damaging the future of your children,” he said.

    “Research is the only way our country can grow. Why do you import finished products when you can easily create employment here? That is why you have Boko Haram all over the place.

    “Look at the amount of foreign exchange we spend importing vehicles into Nigeria. It is mindboggling.”

    Before the latest policy review on importation of cars, according to Aminu Jalal, the Director-General, National Automotive Council, by 2012, Nigerians imported 200,000 used-vehicles and 80,000 new-vehicles at an annual cost of N400bn.

     

  • Jonathan approves board for four Aviation agencies

    Jonathan approves board for four Aviation agencies

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the composition of the governing boards of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, said that the dates for the board of director’s inauguration will be announced in due course by the Minister of Aviation.

    The details of the non-institutional and relevant institutional members of the Boards, according to the statement, include Olusola Oke as Chairman of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency while members are C. J. Udeh, Captain Kuti, Okwudili Uzoka, Jerry Ugokwe, H.Z. Abubakar, Lucky Umoru, Captain Megason, A. Chukwuma and Group Captain John Yekorogha (Rtd).

    For the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Dr. Dan Kure is the Chairman.

    Members include Onuora Chinwe Leticia, Hon. Halima Hassan Tukur, Ngozi Lavender, Mr Farouk Gumel, Amobi Nwokafor, Clement Adegoke Dosunmu, Iboro Edaba Ige, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Dr. Al Amin, Mrs. Patricia Ntofon, Captain Shaifi, Niyi Agbola and Group Captain Henry Unaeze (Rtd).

    Abdullahi Waziri Tambuwal is the Chairman of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and members include Col. Tony Igbanoi, Capt. Sabo Sambo, Chief Frank Edonkumor, Captain Alkali, Alhaji Buba, Chief Emeka Akabueze, Captain Edward Bayo, Sokie Amakree, an engineer Captain Ruma Mohammed and Bola Odugbesan.

    Nigerian Meteorological Agency has Chief Yomi Akintola as its Chairman. Members are Capt. Toju Ogisi, Chief Tunde Taiwo, Jim Ogbolu, Mr. Peter Momodu, Mrs Omikunle, Mr. Ralph Ogar, Mrs. Aletche Bimbo, C.C Nwuba, and Tony Odita.

     

  • DANA Air resumes flight operations

    DANA Air resumes flight operations

    EARLY 17 weeks after its aircraft were temporarily banned, DANA Air resumed scheduled operations yesterday.

    Safety and aircraft inspectors from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were involved in the test flight of the airline’s MD 83 aircraft.

    The aircraft took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The resumption of DANA Air yesterday raised the stake of competition in domestic air travel. The airline offered the lowest fare on resumption.

    At the Departure Hall of the MMIA 2, the Chief Operating Officer, Yvan Drewinsky said the airline had closed open items identified in the audit supervised by the NCAA.

    He said the issues in the NCAA audit had nothing to do with safety, but operational procedures and processes.

    The airline chief explained that the closure of the open items led to lifting of the suspension on its operations.

     

    Drewinsky assured that the airline would not treat the safety and comfort of its clients with levity.

    The Dana chief added that while on suspension, its

  • Group urges improved aviation safety

    Group urges improved aviation safety

    The President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Mr Isaac Balami, has urged authorities in the aviation industry to step up efforts at improving safety and security of passengers at the airports.

    He also said this is one way of attracting more revenue to the industry through enhanced confidence of air travellers.

    He said: “In 2014, NAAPE is proposing that the aviation authorities must look more into the area of safety of passengers at our airports.There should also be a proper overhauling of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by getting more professionals to work there. That will make the agency to be more alive to its responsibilities as the regulatory agency of the aviation industry.’’

    He said NAAPE also expects the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to install more functional instrument landing systems (ILS) at the airports.

     

    ‘’We want the Federal Government to make the installation of the radio communication its topmost priority this year in other airports where they are not available. Before the middle of this year, ILS should be functioning efficiently in all our airports,’’ he said.

    Balami said most of the pilots and aeronautical engineers that lost their jobs in 2013 have begun to seek employment with the new airlines .

    ‘’Most of them had picked up jobs with other airlines while some are still trying to pick up jobs with those that are planning to commence operations very soon. Three more airline are likely to commence operations within the next three months and we are very sure that everybody will be employed by then,’’ he said.

    Balami assured that the out outstanding salaries the grounded airlines are owing the pilots and aeronautical engineers would be paid.

    “The case is in court and ongoing and as law abiding citizens, we did not want to take the law into our hands, he said. ‘’ That is why we have approached the court,’’ Balami said.

    The NAAPE chief in his assessment of the industry in 2013 said that the sector has moved ahead.

    It recorded some significant achievements in 2013, especially in the area of infrastructure developments and airport remodeling.

    According to him, our airports are looking better now than they were several years past .

    ‘We have not had this kind of infrastructure development of our airports in the last 30 years as we have them done under the present administration.

    Before this remodeling and transformation agenda, the industry has been denied of so many benefits, ’’ Balami said.

     

  • DANA Air cleared to resume operations 114 days after

    DANA Air cleared to resume operations 114 days after

    • Set to acquire brand new Boeing 737-500 aircraft

    Dana Air is set to resume commercial flights 114 days after it was suspended to allow for operational audit.

    Its planes are due back in the air today following the completion of the audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The regulatory agency has also lifted the suspension on the airline after demonstrating satisfactory competence in operating the Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) aircraft fleet.

    The carrier, it was learnt, will take delivery of two brand new Boeing 737-500 aircraft next week to boost its resumed operations.

    Dana Air was suspended on October 6 2013 by the federal government to enable the NCAA carry out technical audit of its operations.

    Announcing the resumption of flight operations in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky, said the lifting of the suspension order is a testament that Dana Air adheres strictly to prescribed safety standards as dictated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

    He also commended the aviation ministry and the NCAA for the transparent and objective conduct of the operational audit of the airline.

    “The successful outcome of Dana Air’s operational audit by the NCAA involving the Flight Safety Group in conjunction with their foreign partners underscores our commitment to safe operations in line with standard procedures,” he said.

    Dana Air will operate flights on the Lagos – Abuja – Lagos route for a start.

  • Politicking with aviation?

    Politicking with aviation?

    •The APC allegation of sabotage in the Gombe Airport landing incident, if true, is worrisome and sinister

    Partisan allegations are often like crying wolf, because of politicians’ habit of trying to score quick ones. But when such accusations are about air safety, and the aviation authorities had before demonstrated the penchant to politicise official duties, it is better everyone takes notice; and a putative crisis nipped in the bud.

    That should be the logical reaction to the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegation that a fire truck was put on the runway of Gombe Airport, Gombe, to prevent its partisans from landing, thus stalling their bid to attend a vital meeting in the Gombe State capital.

    Alleging that the incident which forced the aircraft bearing APC partisans to land at Bauchi Airport was plain sabotage, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC interim national publicity secretary, in a statement on the incident declared: “In view of the seriousness of this unprecedented act, the willful endangering of the lives of those on board the aircraft deliberately prevented from landing and the fact that the action contravenes global aviation standards, we call for a comprehensive investigation of the incident by the National Assembly.”

    That is hardly an illegitimate request.

    But the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed the APC allegation, insisting the opposition party was playing politics with aviation and air safety.

    Yakubu Dati, FAAN spokesperson, countered that the Gombe Airport, which does not operate 24 hours, was on January 2 when the incident happened, closed to check fire tenders, a routine exercise, until a fire truck, belonging to the Gombe State Government, broke down and blocked the runway. Though the truck was removed less than one hour after the incident, it was during efforts to remove the obstacle that the aircraft carrying the APC chieftains arrived; and was diverted to Bauchi to land.

    Even then, Mr. Dati could not solve the puzzle surrounding how and why the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) reportedly despatched immediately, that all flights should stay off the airport until the fire truck was removed, never got to the pilot and his crew, flying the aircraft bearing the APC partisans.

    That, Alhaji Mohammed insisted, was the most damning evidence of bad faith and sabotage, which the National Assembly must probe. But even on that, Mr. Dati has countered: the APC was crying wolf where there was none; and reading political motives into strictly aviation safety matters.

    That ought to have been fair allegation and counter-allegation, which ought to be left to a detached third party to probe, with each side getting the benefit of the doubt.

    Still, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), a FAAN sister Federal Ministry of Aviation parastatal, has at least once fanned partisan issues in purely official matters. Recall: when the Jonathan-Amaechi imbroglio started, NCAA was involved in the Akure Airport detention of the governor’s aircraft, with allegations that the Rivers State governor was flying an illegal aircraft in Nigeria’s airspace. It would take a House of Representatives probe to uncover the facts and put the governor in the clear.

    The same NCAA was neck-deep in the N255 million two bullet-proof BMW cars purchase scandal, involving Stella Oduah, the aviation minister. Given President Goodluck Jonathan’s reluctance or inability to move against her, despite damning evidence, and resolutions by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, might the latest FAAN incident be the latest help from the minister’s sphere of influence to an embattled president?

    It would be too sinister to think that were so!

    Still, any hasty conclusion would be premature. That is why the APC requested that the Gombe Airport incident be probed by the National Assembly. That way, the facts would be laid bare and who knows? Nigerians would be reassured that their country’s air space is no fatal pawn in the chess of politics.