NCAA Hopeful of FAA Favourable Report on CAT 1 Re-Assessment

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said at the weekend that it expects favourable report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States on the recent category 1 certificate re-assessement.

Engineer Benedict Adeyileka, acting director - general of the Agency, stated this while expressing appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan, for the tremendous support the Presidency extended to the aviation industry during the FAA's Category  I re-assessment of   Nigeria.   

According to a media release signed by Mr Sam Adurogboye, deputy general manager media, said, Adeyileka was full of thanks for the  Honourable Supervising Minister of Aviation, High Chief, Samuel Ioraer Ortom,  FAAN, NAMA, NIMET, NCAT, Ground Handlers, Allied Services providers, Airlines/Operators, Aviation  Stakeholders  and all those who provided various  degrees of support towards the successful  completion of the audit.

While commending the management and staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for their hard work, conscientiousness and tenacity of purpose during the internal pre - audit and the exercise itself, the DG appreciated the contribution of the media and commended the wave of thoughtful and responsible reports that were prevalent preceding and during the recertification and advocated for a sustenance of these largely encouraging reports post audit.

Adeyileka who was satisfied with the entire audit exercise and the exemplary performance of the regulatory authority was confident of a good report from the FAA.

The Acting NCAA Boss, said the whole exercise was to look at our books and operations to ensure the high standard parameters that gave us Category 1 are still subsisting.

While the exercise lasted,  the four man team used the current  International Aviation Safety  Assessment[IASA] checklists and the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] guidance material during the re-assessment.

These critical elements are:
Critical Element 1-Primary Aviation Legislation
 Critical Element  2- Specific Operating  Regulations
Critical Element  3- State Civil Aviation System and Safety Oversight Functions
 Critical Element  4- Technical Personnel Qualification and  Training
 Critical Element 5- Technical  Guidance and Tools
 Critical Element  6 -Licensing and Certification Obligations
 Critical Element  7 - Surveillance Obligations
 Critical Element  8 - Resolution of Safety Concerns

It is instructive to note that minimal open items were communicated by the auditors  during their de-briefing  and expediential closure of these items have commenced pronto.

The acting DG assured Nigerians that with all the developments in the industry we are once again stepping up safety procedures to entrenched a seamless  safe, smooth and secured air transport industry.