The Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN has inaugurated the National Executive Safety Committee (NESC) to enhance aviation safety.
The Committee was inaugurated on 23rd April, 2024 in accordance with the safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Annex 19.
The mandate of the Committee includes overseeing safety policies, conducting risk assessments, and providing strategic direction to enhance safety performance in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
While stressing the NESC’s critical role in aviation safety, the Minister listed its responsibilities to include monitoring safety performance, identifying strategic risks, and ensuring effective safety management processes.
In addition, the NESC will prioritize safety improvements by effectively and efficiently allocating resources based on risk assessment, guiding the Safety Improvement Advisory Committee strategically. It will also oversee State Safety Programmes (SSP) development, review safety policies, monitor performance against objectives as well as identify emerging safety risks.
The committee’s responsibilities also include ensuring effective safety oversight, approving policy changes, and handling escalated SIAC issues as well as approve SIAC’s Terms of Reference for safety projects and demand periodic safety progress reports.
The Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo explained that this development will enable Nigeria prioritize safety while effectively deploying aviation resources.
Members of the committee include the Ag. DGCA, Chief Executive Officers of NSIB, Federal Airport of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT,), Nigeria Sir Force (NAF), Technical Advisers and Director of Air Safety Administration, NSIB.
The SSP Coordinator will serve as the National Executive Safety Committee Secretary.
