Saudi Arabia signs MoU with NSIB on accident investigation, information, knowledge sharing

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with the Accident Investigation Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (AIB-KSA) to enhance aviation safety in both countries.

According to the Director-General of the NSIB, Mr. Akin Olateru, the MoU, would ensure cooperation and assistance in the field of civil aircraft accident and incident investigation.

He added that the cooperation agreement would also allow both parties to assist in the areas of investigation training, sharing of information and expertise consistent with the Standard and Recommended Practices of Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention.

“We need to work together as a team to enhance safety. Yes we are both established, we have equipment and human capital but there are a lot of lessons we can learn from each other. It is all about improving safety of the flying public”.

Also speaking on the partnership, the Director-General, AIB-KSA, Abdulelah Felemban, said, with the signing of the MoU there would be exchange information and knowledge between the two countries, adding that, there are a lot of lessons to be learnt from accident investigation. 

“We came to meet our counterpart in Nigeria, the NSIB to open the channels of communication, for cooperation to share experiences, we do this investigation in order to ensure safety and promote the safety of aviation”.

The MoU signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, took place alongside the International Conference on Air  Negotiations (ICAN) 2022 hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The NSIB, under its previous name, Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N), had signed international agreements with France BEA, Sao-Tome and Principe, Sierra-Leone and Benin Republic.

The Bureau also signed local agreements with the Nigerian Air force, the University of Lagos, the University of Ilorin amongst others and is currently seeking agreements with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police , Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).