The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will hold a one-day stakeholders’ meeting to articulate the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) otherwise known as drones, in the Nigerian Airspace.
The meeting scheduled to take place on Monday November 21, 2006 at the Galaxy Hall of the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, is a mandatory exercise for all stakeholders in the interest of safer skies.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Media at NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said, “There has been lots of interest shown for the civil use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the country, though, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as far as its certification and operations are concerned.”
However, the NCAA has put in place the Regulations/Advisory Circular for certification and operation for the use of civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the Nigerian Airspace, through (Nig CARs Part 8.8.1.33) and implementing Standards.
Adurogboye said because of the importance attached to this meeting, participants are expected from the Military, Federal Ministry of Aviation and its parastatals or agencies, Flying Clubs, Tour Operators, Media Practitioners (Aviation Press Corps), neighbouring African countries. Others are the film making industry (Nollywood), National Assembly (Aviation Committees) and Sports Organisations.
He added that discussions will centered around Safety Implications, Risk Assessment, Oversight, Regulations and Certification.
Since the Civil operation of drones in the country will require approval/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), the statement added that the need for the stakeholders meeting has become very necessary.
