The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain USMAN Mukhtar disclosed in Lagos on Monday during a media chat
The ICAO -USOAP was established in accordance with strategic objective A3 to ‘’conduct aviation safety oversight audits to identify deficiencies and encourage their resolutions by contracting states.’’ The programme is managed by ICAO Safety Audit Oversight Section.
According to Captain Mukhtar, the objective of USOAP is to promote global aviation safety.ICAO does this by auditing the contracting states on a regular basis. This is to determine the States’ capability for safety oversight.
ICAO assesses the effectiveness of implementation of the critical elements of a safety oversight system and the status of States’ implementation of safety – related ICAO standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
Others are associated procedures, guidance materials and safety – related practices.
The ICAO USOAP was launched in January 1999 in response to widespread concerns expressed during the 29th ICAO Assembly in 1992.At that session; a concern was raised on the apparent inability of some contracting states to carry out their safety oversight functions.
The ICAO Assembly resolution A32-11 of 1999 directed the establishment of USOAP comprising regular, mandatory, systematic and harmonised safety audits.
Contracting States were asked to encourage its application with greater transparency and increased accessibility of audit results.
The NCAA DG noted:"As you are all well aware our industry has gone through ICAO audit before and we did excellently well. Therefore, on the heels of an accident free year 2014, we are primed to excel again.
He however assured that the Regulatory Authority would not rest on its oars as during the year, the Authority has been very proactive and a regime of robust regulation was in place.
He further assued: "We are fully prepared for the impending audits. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) therefore appeals to all stakeholders including the media to join hands with us to ensure a successful audit.
From now on, all your reports are very sensitive. Let us eschew sensationalism and present our aviation industry as the most improved that it is."
Captain Mukhtar went further : "I therefore want to assure you that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has continued to strengthen our regulatory responsibilities and capacity in all areas.
"In the aftermath of the stowaway incident, the Authority has given orders for an immediate enhancement of all security activities at our airports especially the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA)."
"Other measures taken by the NCAA is to embark on a specific security audit of the airline involved in the stowaway incident.
All airlines have therefore advised to ensure increased security presence around their aircraft when not in operation. This should be done round the clock.
Our policy is to continue to work with all relevant stakeholders in the industry to ensure safe, secure and comfortable flight operations in Nigeria," he concluded.
Comments
Post a Comment