Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N), Engr. Akin Olateru, has preached the need for maximum cooperation, diligence, conscientiousness and professionalism among members of staff of the Bureau.
Olateru said these were the building blocks toward constructing the good working relationship the Bureau’ needed to achieve its statutory duties of investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents to prevent the reoccurrence of such mishaps through making relevant recommendations.
The CEO of AIB-N who was reappointed into another four year term in office made this known while addressing the Bureau’s staff across the country during a vvirtual interaction with them from the corporate headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, “It has been an honour to work with you all over the last four years, and I look forward to the next four years with great expectations for how much more we will achieve together. I invite you now to look back on the last four years, at the events, the challenges, our successes and aspirations and work with me to continue the path of innovation and strategic development.
“We must continue to deliver on our mandate with the highest standards of professionalism as we always have, and to continue to grow thereon.”
The Commissioner, however, assured that his administration “will continue to innovate and establish the AIB-N even further, to align with the best in class globally.”
“I plan to improve our infrastructure and equipment, strengthen our human capital, further simplify our processes, and eliminate bottlenecks in our procedures, making AIB a highly reputable institution,” he added.
Olateru, on his reappointment sincere gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the trust and confidence reposed in me to continue to lead the AIB.”
He added that he is humbled by the progress that has been achieved at AIB-N since he assumed office in 2017. “I am even more humbled by the recognition and acknowledgement of these achievements by our Honourable Minister, my colleagues, staff, and the media,” he said.
Appreciating the staff for their continuous hard work and professionalism in ensuring the Bureau fulfil its mandate, the Commissioner said, “In the last four years, with your help, hard work and commitment, we have taken the Agency from relative obscurity to its rightful place.
According to him, “we improved our infrastructure, equipment, human capital, and staff welfare. We also reviewed and improved our systems, processes and procedures.”
“I am very proud of what we have achieved, and I hope that you can all take pride in your individual and collective contributions to realising this feat.”
Olateru who became AIB-N Commissioner in January, 2017 completed his first term in office in January 2021.
The period witnessed the release of 40 final reports on accidents and serious incidents and three Safety Bulletins.
This, represented 67.8 per cent of the total final reports released by the Bureau since it was established in 2007. The Bureau also issued 130 Safety Recommendations within the same period, representing 61.6 percent of the total safety recommendations it issued.
Olateru stated that within the period of four years, the Bureau’s infrastructural facilities, such as the Bureau’s Flight Safety Laboratory in Abuja and Lagos, Wreckage Hangar, Metallurgical Science Laboratory, Regional offices in Enugu and Kano states, and the Command and Control Center, were developed and rehabilitated to enhance efficiency.
He also affirmed that his administration initiated collaborations and cooperation agreements with several countries and institutions such as the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviationcivile (BEA- France), the Instituto Nacional De Aviaco Civil (National Civil Aviation Authority) of Sao Tome & Principe, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and University of Lagos (UNILAG), while the cooperation agreements between Saudi Arabia, Republic of Benin and Niger Republic are in the process.