The safety of the Nigerian air space has received a boost as  the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian airspace  management agency ( NAMA) in line with their inter agency collaboration agenda  entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement and renewed partnership to promote air safety.

The  main purpose of the agreement  was to consolidate the existing relationship between NSIB and NAMA on the exchange of information, and data sharing  during occurrences, among others, that can help in the quality and timeliness of investigation of air mishaps in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation  ICAO Annex 13 and 19 of  the 1994 Chicago convention on International Civil Aviation .

Also included in the MoU  was the flexibility in all transactions with the mutual agreement of both agencies, upholding the values of cooperation, honesty, mutual respect, openness and professionalism .

NSIB and NAMA while signing  the deal noted  that though the MoU  is not legally  binding, but  the two  agencies however agreed to  perform their respective functions in a manner consistent with the values  and principles  of the agreement.

The signing of the agreement, which took place at the NSIB Abuja headquarters had the Bureau Director General, Engr. Akin Olateru  signed on behalf of NSIB, while NAMA Managing Director/ CEO  Engr. Odunowo Tayib Mohammed,  put  pen on paper for his Agency.

The NSIB recently signed a MoU with Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on cooperation during emergencies even as the agency has signed similar agreements with various agencies and institutions within and outside the country.

Said  Olateru, “Collaboration remains the centre point of our drive towards enthroning safety in the aviation industry. We remain committed to promoting safety in the aviation industry to the point of attaining and maintaining zero accident.”

He added: ”We, however, cannot do it alone. That is why we have chosen the path of collaboration with agencies and institutions with similar objectives.”

He commended NAMA management for rising to the occasion  by signing the agreement.