The Nigerian Air Force and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have agreed to explore areas of cooperation to enhance aviation safety in the country.

the Head, Public Affairs of AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said this in a statement issued, in Lagos, on Thursday.

He said this was a fall out of a meeting between heads of the two bodies when the new bureau’s Commissioner, Mr. Akin Olateru, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Olateru, in the statement, canvassed for more cooperation in human capital development and emergency response.

“There are a lot you can do for us in training. We know you don’t joke with training in Nigerian Air Force.

“We need to have cooperation with you in developing human capital. We also need a documented emergency response plan in which you can play a very critical role,” he said.

Olateru commended the Nigerian Air Force for its formidable role in aviation and in the defence of the nation.

The AIB boss stressed the importance of a stronger relationship between the two bodies, noting that the force is strategically placed to help during emergencies with its facilities spread across the country.

Responding, the Chief of Air Staff said by working together, the force will help AIB in fulfilling its mandate of accident investigation and prevention.

Abubakar said the air force would be willing to extend its human and material resources to the bureau.

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He also urged AIB management to identify its needed areas of assistance.

“Accident is what nobody wants but in aviation it happens sometimes despite every effort made to prevent it. We need to deal with issues before accident happens,” he said.

Abubakar said the force had upgraded its medical and training facilities spread across the country to boost its capacity to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies.

“Training of Air Force officers have been upgraded, especially for the pilots and engineers who are given decent accommodation to ensure they were focused on safety.

“We are providing decent accommodation for the officers flying and maintaining our aircraft. We train, provide facilities, seminars and make sure our hospitals are okay, we do medical evaluations.

“We have evaluations once quarterly for our pilots where they take written tests to make sure they are up to task. Same thing for our engineers,” he said.

The Chief of Air Staff said he invited AIB to be part of safety evaluation so as to have independent assessment from an outsider.

“We need to have simulations of accidents to see the gaps and see what to be done. You may have excellent plan but when it comes to execution, it is a different thing,” he said.

The two government bodies agreed to set up a joint-committee to explore areas of mutual cooperation.

Olateru has been galvanising all relevant sectors to reposition AIB towards the fulfillment of its mandate of improving safety through investigation of serious incidents and accidents. (NAN)