Photo caption : L-R Director General Guinean Civil Aviation Authority Mr. Mamady Kaba, the BAGAIA Commissioner Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, the AIG Focal Point Engr. Sidiki Traore
…Says Member States Stands To Gain Hugely From Facility
The Banjul Accord Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) is tinkering with the idea of developing a $1.5 million integration of Flight Data Analysis Capability for member states.
The facility will to provide each state with a core analysis capability with the world-class Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB) existing Flight Data Recorder(FDR)/ Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR) Safety laboratory as the central hub for expert technical support.
BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh made this known during the week as a guest of the Guinean Civil Aviation Authority in Conakry, where he discussed the importance of the regional aircraft accident investigative body and steps taken to keep it thriving.
Erhueh also pointed out the importance of the establishment of an independent investigation body separate from Civil Aviation Authority in Guinea to investigate aircraft accidents expressing optimism that Guinea will show interest just as Sierra Leone and others have done.
The commissioner also called on the Guinea CAA to deepen the country’s membership of BAGAIA by meeting their obligations to the regional body, especially with regards clearing their outstanding subscription.
The Guinean Civil Aviation Authority(GCAA) Director General, Mr. Mamady Kaba while welcoming the BAGAIA Commissioner to Conakry promised that independent investigation agency would be established in few months time as the Act was in its final stage to fruition, adding that Guinea will clear its outstanding once the Act is signed into law.
In his words, “That the papers for the creation of the AIG was created 3 years ago and they are looking forward for it assent into law” that they are willing to clear of the outstanding when the Act is signed into law with the measure they will put in place.
The BAGAIA Commissioner assured the commitment of BAGAIA to member states in ensuring that the country is up to speed as aviation is global.
On who pays for investigation when it is delegated to BAGAIA,the commissioner stated that only logistics would be handled by the state of occurrence since they are contributing their quota as enshrined in the agreement.
He further stated that member states have a lot to gain from BAGAIA activities with offerings of trainings and assistance in Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme ( USOAP) activities and collaboration with other states as the case may be.
On the proposal for Flight Data Analysis Capability for Member States as highlighted in the commissioner’s presentation, he said that once the proposal reaches fruition it would provide each State with a core Flight Data Analysis capability with the world-class Nigerian AIB existing FDR/CVR Safety lab as the central hub for expert technical support
According to the presentation each BAGAIA State will receive: laptop/workstation with Flight Data Analysis Software, Audio Analysis Software, Flight Animation Software
He stated that the laptop would provides field capability to participate with the State of Occurrence centrally coordinated contract from BAGAIA with each State contributing; expand on existing FDR/CVR lab in Abuja with satellite capabilities.
The BAGAIA Commissioner thanked the DG and his cabinet for the warm reception received since his arrival.
He also visited the Air Navigation Agency of Guinea,where he had a brief meeting with the Director General Mr. Soumah Ahmed Tidiane and the Deputy Hadja Oumou Diallo,
The Commissioner also reiterated the need to embrace good working relationship with an independent investigation body with hope that it main objective is not to apportion blame or liability but to ensure that safety recommendations are made to better the industry at large.
The Commissioner visited the Airport Fire Commandant Mr. Alpha Camara and his team with a stop also at the Guinean meteorology agency.
