Emmanuel OchayiIn response to the alarming discovery of contaminated fuel in Max Air’s main tank this July, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken decisive action, suspending violators of its fueling regulations.
This move comes after a public outcry raised serious concerns about the safety of air travel in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Dambazau, the Director of Operations, Licensing, and Training Standards at NCAA, who represented NCAA Director-General Musa Nuhu, announced these measures during the inauguration of a joint audit committee on aviation fuel activities in Nigeria.
Dambazau emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between the NCAA and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in identifying the violators of fueling regulations.
The newly formed committee consists of key stakeholders in the aviation industry, including representatives from NMDPRA, NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Association of Aviation Marketers, and the Department of State Security (DSS).
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The committee’s primary mission is to investigate the supply and use of aviation fuel, identify the root cause of contamination, and recommend solutions to prevent future fuel contamination incidents in the country.
NCAA has also issued a stern directive to airline operators and other stakeholders, demanding strict adherence to the fuel requirements outlined by the aviation industry regulator. This move underscores the commitment of the authority to enhance safety standards across the industry.
Addressing the concerns surrounding the Max Air contaminated fuel incident, the NCAA assured the public that their apprehensions were justified. Dambazau stated, “I want to assure the Nigerian public and the world at large that the Nigerian aviation industry and our skies are safe.”
He highlighted the rigorous approval processes, surveillance, and audits carried out by the NCAA to ensure the highest level of safety in Nigerian skies.
He continued, “The authority has not been sleeping and has taken steps in the aftermath of the incidents, which included the investigation of all reported incidents and collaboration with sister agencies in the aviation industry like FAAN, NSIB, NMDPRA, and DSS.”
This reassurance is intended to rebuild confidence in the safety of air travel and restore peace of mind to the traveling public.
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