The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (NCAT) have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger collaboration in the area of capacity development of the aviation industry.
The Bureau has also announced that it will launch its world-class training facility that will be the first in Africa before the end of 2023.
The Commissioner/CEO, AIB-N Mr. Akin Olateru disclosed this on Wednesday when the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Modibbo and his top management team paid him a courtesy call at the AIB corporate head office in Abuja.
The two aviation agencies also discussed areas of mutual benefits and collaboration that would further improve aviation safety and development.
In his opening remarks, the NCAT Rector, Capt. Moddibo said it is significant that continuous synergy is maintained among associate agencies, considering the global challenges facing the aviation industry that requires tremendous innovation and dedication.
The Commissioner said the AIB-N Training Centre located close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Abuja is about 90 percent completed and should be ready at about the third quarter of 2022.
“AIB is setting up a training school which is the first of its kind in the history of Africa. That will be the first. It is a welcomed initiative. We have been talking to NCAT among great institutions in the world that teach aircraft accident investigation courses. We have worked on a curriculum and we will want us to revisit that because the training school is about 90 percent completed” he stated.
He also said the essence of the facility is to deepen training as AIB-N prioritises manpower development adding that the NCAT’s visit will deepen their collaboration on training.
The AIB-N Commissioner urged the NCAT to create a platform for training all non-technical personnel of the aviation industry on aviation awareness appreciation programme
Said Olateru: “This visit is in the spirit of collaboration. Training is extremely important in any organisation and that is what makes the organisation grow. Training is what has been central to what we do. So far, in the AIB, we have trained 48 of our staff at NCAT. Before the end of this year, we will be training 16 of our staff to have a private pilot license (PPL). The programme is starting February 14, this year. So far, we have trained 17 of our aircraft engineers at NCAT. We are currently having nine of our of staff on students review.”
“We have trained two of our air traffic controllers and two dispatchers at NCAT. Recently, one of the new units we set up, the Command and-Control Centre also had seven staff trained on radiotelephony. So, it is a partnership that is growing” he noted.
Olateru urged the States and Federal Government to be sponsoring students in NCAT as they used to do adding that this would enable children of poor background to benefit from NCAT training services.
Modibbo also said AIB-N’s commitment to acquiring modern facilities and manpower development resonates positively with NCAT adding that NCAT has been re-equipping to remain at the forefront in aviation education.
The Rector urged for more patronage from AIB-N even as he appreciated the synergy between the two agencies in the area of capacity development.
The Rector also stressed the efforts being made by the aviation college to enhance security in its campus adding that more than 40 armed security operatives have been deployed to man the institution’s security system.
According to him both the Kaduna State and the Federal Government were working hard to ensure adequate security in the area.
