Aviation Minister Inaugurates National Executive Safety Committee 

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in compliance with the safety requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) annex 19, at the weekend, inaugurated the National Executive Safety Committee (NESC) of Nigeria’s State Safety Programme.

While charging the members to discharge their roles and responsibilities in a professional and appropriate manner to determine the safety risk picture of the aviation industry within the Nigerian state, the Minister said the NESC would ensure the development, periodic review and policy making pertaining to SSP activities, such as safety policy, safety indicators, enforcement policy, safety data protection and sharing, SMS regulatory requirements, integrated and internal coordination of internal SSP review and findings.

Keyamo in a statement, stated the terms of reference of the committee to include: Endorsement of the priorities and ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to drive the desired improvements in safety performance, based on risk assessment, and give strategic direction to the Safety Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC); Ensuring the development, periodic review and decision and policy making pertaining to SSP activities, such as safety policy, safety indicators, enforcement policy, safety data protection and sharing, SMS regulatory requirements, and internal SSP review and findings are carried out in an integrated and coordinated manner; Monitoring safety performance against Nigeria’s safety policies and objectives; (iv) Assess and accept the picture of the aggregate risk within the aviation industry in Nigeria; Identifying new and emerging strategic safety risks; Directing and monitoring the effectiveness of the SIAC; Ensuring the effectiveness of the safety oversight of regulated organisations and personnel; Review and sign off major policies, rules and interpretation changes; Handle escalated issues identified by the SIAC; (x) Approve Terms of Reference as recommended by the SIAC for projects, new entities and other safety activities as determined by the SIAC; and Ensure the effectiveness of the organisation’s safety management processes demanded for a periodic progress report on a quarterly basis for consideration.

In his Speech, the Director General Civil Aviation Authority Capt. Chris Najomo said by fully implementing of an effective SSP , Nigeria would posses a clear understanding of its role and contribution to safe operations that will enable it and the aviation industry prioritise and address safety risks.

The Director General Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt Alex Badeh, expressed appreciation to the Minister for the opportunity given to them to serve in the Committee and promised to do their best.