SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL NIGERIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (NCAA) AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE JOINT NCAA AUDIT COMMITTEE OF ALL AVIATION FUEL ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA.

Represented By Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau Director, Operations, Licensing & Training Standards

Ladies and gentlemen, | welcome you to this occasion. As you are aware, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of aviation activities in Nigeria which we have continued to ensure and we would not relent on this effort towards achieving the highest level of safety in this sector.

In addition, we are all aware the aviation industry is the most scrutinized and regulated industry in the

world. Recently, there have been series of incidents relating to fuel contamination, in particular, that of Max Air fuel contamination in Yola that has generated a lot of attention in the country and all over the world. This has created a negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear amongst the public which is justified.

| want to assure the Nigerian public and the world at large that the Nigerian aviation industry and our skies are safe as the NCAA has always been thorough in granting approvals in addition to our oversight responsibilities which include surveillances and audits of all operators involved in the aviation industry to ensure the highest level of safety in our skies as The Authority has not been sleeping and have taken steps in the aftermath of the incidents which included the investigation of all the incidents that have been reported, collaboration with sister agencies in the aviation industry like Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that issue licences, and Department of State Security (DSS). This collaboration with NMPDRA has yielded positive results so far as the collaboration has led to the identification of all non licenced fuelers and those with expired licences in Nigeria that has led to suspension of all their activities in the airport in Nigeria. Furthermore, an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been _ issued mandating all Operators to comply with all requirements for fueling as approved. The Authority has also heightened its surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance.

Considering the gravity of the situation and the seriousness that the Authority is pursuing this phos i matter, the Authority have set up a joint committee and mandated the committee to conduct a wholistic review and audit all fuelers, fueling facilities and equipment from the initial source of the fuel to the point of fueling into the aircraft.

This committee has membership drawn from the NCAA, NSIB, FAAN, DSS, NMPDRA and _ the Association of fuel Marketers in Nigeria. The committee has been mandated to identify all the root causes, proffer solutions and recommendations that would improve the level of safety in the aviation industry in Nigeria. The Terms of Reference (TOR) has been clearly spelt out that would see the committee members tour all over the country to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.

At this junction, | want to sincerely appreciate the Presidency, the National Assembly and_ the Honourable Minister < Aviation and Aerospace Development for the unwavering support and the keen interest shown. The Presidency and the Honourable Minister have directed that this investigation must be brought to a logical conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian populace.

As for the committee, this is a national assignment that must be taken with all seriousness that it deserves. You must not leave any stone un-turned and come up with recommendations that would help prevent future occurrence and aise improve the level of safety in the industry. We must build the trust of the Nigerian public to the highest level we can achieve.

In conclusion, | would like to appreciate the

Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of

Nigeria (FAAN), Director General/ CEO of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Director General Department of State Service (DSS), Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) and the Association of Marketers for this joint effort and collaboration in the interest of public. In addition, | want to reiterate the commitment of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in the discharge of our regulatory responsibilities, the Authority is working studiously round the clock to ensure that safety of air travel in Nigeria is not compromised.

Finally, Nigenans should be rest assured that the recommendations from this committee would be

fully implemented in the interest of the public and

safe air travel in Nigeria.

Thank you.