The Director-Genera, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Muhtar Usman has tasked the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to strengthen safety awareness and culture among its personnel.
Usman gave the charge in Kaduna during a two-day safety seminar held at NAF 401 Flying School on Monday in Kaduna.
He was represented by Cpt. Muhammad Abubakar, Fflight Operations Inspector, NCAA.
The seminar has as its theme: Training to Enhance Safety Culture for Effective Aircraft Operations and Maintenance.
Usman said that the theme was apt especially in the period when NAF efforts in the ongoing counter insurgency operation have place tremendous demands on both platform and personnel.
“Developing and strengthening safety culture would therefore, not only ensure protection of personnel and equipment but also enhance mission accomplishments,” he said.
According to him, as NAF moves to fit correctly into the mould of modern and future air force, “safety must be a necessity.
“Though very expensive, it is a truism that its gains are priceless.
” This realization over the years and the pains of losses incurred both of men and equipment from operational lapses ,technical omissions and various unsafe acts in our work places, inform the investment made in safety since the inception of the NAF.”
The DG explained that safety in aircraft operations environment is dependent on many variables, adding that it was important to focus on identification assessment and mitigation strategies to reduce risk to lowest level.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding, (AOC) Air Training Command, AVM Muhammad Sulaiman, said safety is a critical component of any organization if they hope to archive set objectives.
“The more knowledgeable and safety conscious the available human resources, the more efficient a system operates.
” A safety seminar like this will also create awareness in the workforce so as to reduce the risk associated with those hazards significantly .”he said
The AOC appreciate the Chief of Air Staff for allowing the seminar to hold.
