Air Chief Tasks Commanders On Safety Of New Aircraft

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has charged unit commanders of newly acquired aircraft to identify potential hazards associated with the arrival and operations of the new aircraft and find ways to manage the risks.

Abubakar stated this when he opened this year’s NAF Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting held on  November 16, 2023 at NAF Headquarters Abuja.

In a statement by the director of public relations and information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, Abubakar said safety management in the NAF remains a major priority and core function in view of the technical and complex nature of assigned tasks and roles of the service.

He said, “We are aware that increase in operational tempo will lead to increase in hazards associated with our operations in line with ICAO’s postulation that hazards are the by-products of production or operational activities.” 

He said, “The NAF is fully committed to developing, implementing and reviewing policies to ensure that NAF operations and other activities are conducted in a safe environment.”

He stated that safety is the bedrock of NAF operations.

Air Marshal Abubakar reiterated his commitment to ensuring continuous improvement in safety standards through deliberate programmes aimed at enhancing flight safety as well as occupational and domestic safety in the NAF.

The CAS, who is also the chairman of the NAF Safety Review Board further emphasized the need for field commanders to ensure that the safety trainings translate to the development of positive safety culture, improvement in safety practices as well as creation of awareness that safety is the responsibility of all personnel.

Earlier, the chief of standards and evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi, noted that the SRB is designed to discuss and review issues related to safety policies and regulations as well as allocate resources for enhanced safety standards in the NAF.

He also revealed that the Board is expected to provide appropriate directives and guidelines that would ensure the entrenchment of a positive safety culture in the NAF.