The Minister of Aviation Chief Ostia Chidioka has urged global body to commence exchange programs in Airline Navigation as Nigeria retains United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 1 category.
The Minister made this appeal in a meeting with the officials of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, last week adding that the programs in Air navigation will help to deepen knowledge and promote best practice.
According to Chidioka, as Nigeria retained the prestigious United State of America (USA) FAA Category 1 status, he said this will link Nigerian aviation to worldwide global coverage.
A statement signed by the Minister stated that the America FAA informed him that Nigeria had continued to meet the safety oversight requirements under the international aviation standards.
Chidioka noted that the retention of category one status was hard-earned and promised that the government would continue to ensure that the country retains the status and further safety certification in a seamless way.
He added that the NTSB team also provided some insight on the operation and activities of the board and advised the visiting team on some best practices to institutionalize and to achieve the desired outcomes.
He further enjoined the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend its assistance to the Nigerian Aviation industry in a bid to improve safety and security components. On the official trip, the minister meets with the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) to explore opportunities for Capacity building and strengthens of aviation Security systems and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the new minister of aviation Chief Ostia Chidioka in US last week received the certificate that certified that Nigeria aviation meets international standard; the certificate was issued to the minister after the Nigeria aviation industry propelled by the Nigerian civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and other major agencies in the sector closed all the identified open items when the FAA visited the industry.
The US FAA had carried out intensive internal aviation safety assessment of the sector earlier in the year amid concerns that the industry has gone through teething period since earning Cat 1 status in September 2010.
The Minister has promised to reform and strengthen the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in line with the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), for greater efficiency and service delivery.
