‘Strict IOSA Audit’ll End Air Crashes In Nigeria’

Air accidents in Nigeria’s
aviation industry may be put to an end if airlines are made to compulsorily obtain the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) as planned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Preliminary investigations on the last two accidents involving Dana Air and Associated Aviation flights  showed that poor equipment and pilot error were the major causes of the crash.
To this end, it is believed that IOSA certification would ensure that airlines carry out effective maintenance of their aircraft and training of their cock pit crew.
A senior official of the regulatory body said that abiding by the safety standards recommended in the IOSA certification would ensure that Nigerian airlines operate safely, adding that obtaining the certification is not too difficult as Nigerian stringent regulation by NCAA.
Obtaining IOSA certification is for the benefit of the airlines. It will reduce their insurance premium, will give them more credibility and enhance their leasing and acquisition of aircraft. It will also help them with code share with major airlines for those that wish to operate regional and international destinations, he said.
However, some of the airline owners who are just businessmen and do not have aviation experience may be reluctant to invest more to obtain IOSA because they want immediate profit for  their investment.
The source noted that IOSA certification will improve the chances of zero accident in scheduled air operation in Nigeria because when you implement specific standard of safety you will have high safety level. Safety mitigates hazards and danger to a high level. Accidents will be almost zero but because of human factors you cannot have absolute zero accidents, the source added.
On the side of NCAA, the official said that inspectors in flight operations should be well remunerated if they must be retained by the agency, advising that their contracts should be reviewed upwards or NCAA would lose them, stressing that without the inspectors, the airlines might be tempted to start cutting corners again.

President Goodlock Jonathan (left), being received by Governor Abdulfath Ahmed of Kwara State at the Airport in Ilorin last Monday. Photo: NAN