By Milcah Tanimu
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has created a joint committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive review and audit of all aspects of aviation fueling, from the initial source of fuel to the point of fueling into aircraft. The committee’s primary objective is to identify the causes of fuel contamination and propose effective solutions.
Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of NCAA, inaugurated the committee in Abuna on Thursday. He emphasized the importance of this audit, given recent incidents of fuel contamination, notably the Max Air fuel contamination incident in Yola, which had adverse effects on the aviation industry’s reputation and public confidence.
The committee, consisting of members from various agencies, including NCAA, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Association of Fuel Marketers in Nigeria, has been granted a 60-day timeline to conduct the nationwide audit.
The Director-General, represented by Capt. Ibrahim Danbazau, the Director of Operations, License, and Training at NCAA, charged the committee with the responsibility of making recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria. He emphasized that the committee’s work should not only prevent future fuel contamination but also improve safety standards in the aviation sector.
The committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR) include assessing compliance with regulatory and safety requirements and conducting nationwide inspections. The NCAA Director-General expressed gratitude to the Presidency, the National Assembly, and Development Partners for their unwavering support and interest in the investigation.
He reiterated the commitment of the Presidency and the Minister to see the investigation through to a logical conclusion for the benefit of the Nigerian population. He urged the committee to take its national assignment seriously and assured the public that the recommendations would be fully implemented to ensure safe air travel in Nigeria.
Nuhu also highlighted the collaboration between NCAA and sister agencies in the aviation industry, such as FAAN, NSIB, NMDPRA, and DSS, in ensuring compliance with safety standards and licensing regulations. He affirmed that the skies in the Nigerian aviation industry were safe, and the authority was diligently working to maintain that level of safety.
The committee’s work and recommendations are expected to contribute significantly to enhancing safety measures and preventing future fuel-related incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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