The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is to review its regulations to accommodate changes in the global aviation industry.
AIB Commissioner Akin Olateru said in Lagos yesterday that the review would enhance the bureau’s performance in accident investigations.
He added that the review will take place before end of year.
The commisioner noted that AIB will ensure its activities conform with European standards and retain its leadership on the continent.
According to Olateru, the management has notified stakeholders about its intent to review its regulations.
He noted that some of AIB’s regulations are outdated and need changes, which can’t be accommodated with regulations in use.
Olateru added that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recently reviewed its Annex 18 to accommodate developments in the industry, stressing that to remain relevant, it will consistently look at its regulations.
He said the bureau’s core mandates were to investigate accident, recommend safety to prevent future recurrence and make aviation safer for air travellers.
“AIB came into existence in 2007 via the Civil Aviation Act 2006. The regulation was designed to guide how we do things.
“That regulation is outdated, it has to be reviewed. Regulation basically is to guide the stakeholders and to let everybody know how reporting system is done.
“If you look at Annex 18, it has just been reviewed by ICAO. We need to bring our regulations to speed to capture those new areas because you have to constantly review how you do things for you to stay relevant, if not, you will become outdated.
“It is easier to review regulations than to review the Act. Act is forever. Moreso, the need to review our regulations was part of ICAO findings the last time it audited us,” the commissioner said in statement.
According to him, ICAO observed there are gaps in the regulations.
“As a responsible organisation, you have to constantly put your regulations, processes, systems and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to test to make sure there is still life and they are still going to work in accordance to your objectives.
“And if you find any gaps, you need to review and make it alive,” he said.
AIB, in February 2016, carried out a similar exercise in Lagos, which improved its activities and duties, especially on accident and incident investigations.