Ime Akpan
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Tuesday conducted an aircraft emergency tabletop exercise (TTX) to o keep them informed and up-to-date on how to manage aircraft emergencies and disasters.
An aircraft emergency TTX is a discussion-based activity where participants simulate an aircraft emergency scenario to test and refine emergency response plans and procedures. It involves key personnel from various departments and agencies reviewing their roles and responsibilities in a controlled, low-stress environment. The goal is to identify weaknesses in the plan and improve coordination and communication among responders.
The exercise which took place at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos brought key participants in emergency management and search and rescue units from key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
They included the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Department of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASANBUS), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), among others.
Declaring the event open, the director of air traffic services (ATS) at NAMA, Mr John Tayo urged all the stakeholders who attended to take the exercise seriously.
The director, who was represented by the general manager, Search and rescue (SAR), Mr Sunday Iwalaiye emphasised that SAR is everybody’s business,
The emergency TTX was divided into two sessions – the ‘SAR units and responsibilities’ and ‘arrangement into groups of SAR units according to their responsibilities.’
“We cannot start the exercise without knowing clearly the responsibilities of each agency. Any SAR involving an aircraft is aeronautical emergency,” John said.
In his remark, the regional general manager, southwest, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Olatokunbo Arewa commended the coordinators and organisers of the exercise, urging all participants to support the exercise
“This is a thing we should all support. Although, no one want emergencies to happen but it does happen. I want all stakeholders to take notes to what so as to know what to do when emergencies occur,” Arewa added.
A representative of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Safo Jiya commended the coordinators.
“Safety is paramount for us at NCAA. We are here to learn. Let us be mindful on what we are doing here today,” he said.
In his remarks, the quality assurance manager (QAM) at the airport, Mr Onohwoakpo Chris said many stakeholders do not want emergency situations but “we gather here to learn on what we don’t ever want to happen in aviation.”
Similarly, the head of SAR unit at NEMA, Lagos operations office, Mrs. Ibitayo Adenike said: “Last disaster in global aviation wasn’t expected. We have representatives of practically all airlines. I appreciate the efforts put in this exercise. Let us put our minds together to synergise and identify areas of shortcomings and make progress so that whenever we there is an emergency, we will do the right thing.”
Explaining the essence of the exercise, the search mission coordinator at the MMIA, Mr Igberaese David who coordinated the exercise said NAMA had been conducting joint operation with the NEMA, NIMASA, they decided to come together for a better performance when incidence occurs.
He said the goal of the TTX “is rescuing the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time.”
Igberaese further said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommends that 24-hour watch must be provided in the SARs.
“Search and Rescue is everybody is everybody business because when it occurs in remote areas, the farmers eventually become the first responders,” he added.
