FG to implement State Safety Programme in aviation sector

The Federal Government has announced plans to implement the State Safety Programme (SSP) to integrate safety activities and regulatory requirements within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the ICAO-West and Central Africa (WACAF) Regional Office’s African and Indian Ocean (AFI) Regional Plan – SSP in Abuja on Friday.

The SSP is an integrated set of regulations and activities aimed at enhancing aviation safety, as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Najomo assured that Nigeria would allocate the required human and financial resources for the programme’s implementation, adding that the ICAO-WACAF assistance mission had helped the country identify and address gaps in the draft SSP document.

“Nigeria has initiated its SSP processes and made significant progress toward full implementation. The country has published safety management regulations in Part 20 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) and developed a draft SSP manual.

“We have also drafted a National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) and provided guidance materials for both industry operators and regulatory inspectors,” he explained.

Najomo said Ms Sonia Freitas, a delegate from ICAO-WACAF, had reviewed Nigeria’s SSP implementation plan, identifying areas requiring further action to achieve full compliance with state safety requirements.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh, commended the assistance mission, reaffirming regional commitment to improving aviation safety across Africa.