An appeal has been made to the Federal Government to release more funds and adequate tools that will help the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)) to carry out its investigative functions in the October 24, 2024 crash of a Sikorsky helicopter into the Atlantic Ocean in Bonny near Finima in Rivers State.
The Sikorsky helicopter which belonged to Eastwind Aviation had eight people on board when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean five minutes to its final destination.
The call for the adequate funding of NSIB was made at the just concluded 2024 National Executive Council meeting and symposium of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) held in Abuja.
In a communique issued at the end of the programme, participants emphasized the need for government to release adequate funding to the accident investigation bureau to assist it in carrying out a thorough investigation into the fatal accident on time, giving the intricate nature and the international interest the accident has generated.
The gathering equally tasked the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce the strict use of life jackets fitted with oxygen and emergency breathing system to ensure that other emergency equipment like floatations system are at all times serviceable.
In line with the economic reality of the country and considering the critical role aviation plays in the nation’s economy, the National executive council of the professional body has also appealed to all employers of labour (Government and airlines) to provide better conditions of service to their employees.
“As a matter of utmost necessity and importance, NEC request that the NCAA mandates all airline operators to incorporate the “Rights Frame of Mind” policy in their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)”.
In a communique issued and signed by the National president of NAAPE, Comrade Abednego Galadima, the council called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to intervene and ensure that Management of Dana Air urgently settles all outstanding salaries, allowances and other pending financial obligations being owed its members since April, 2024.
Given the consequential impact of Climate change on the society especially aviation,the professional body urged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to urgently set up a Climate Change Committee for the aviation industry where relevant stakeholders and Union representatives shall come up with industrial mitigation strategies;
Galadima in the communique declared: “NEC acknowledges the enormous impact posed by Climate Change on aviation jobs and hereby demands that government set the machinery in motion to amend the Climate Change Act to include representatives of workers (Unions) and Employers organization in the Governing Structures of the National Council on Climate Change;
“NEC in sessions demands that social dialogue on Climate Change and Environmental sustainability finds very clear and unambiguous mandates in our Collective Bargaining Agreements.”
Aftermath Of Sikorsky Helicopter Crash: FG Urged To Release More Funds To NSIB
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