The director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, has re-affirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the sustenance of safe and secure flight operations of the nation’s aviation industry.
Nuhu who stated this in an interview with aviation journalists in Lagos said the regulatory agency will continue the implementation of its statutory responsibilities and duties to retain the confidence of the flying public.
The director general said the agency was still investigation the suspended Dana Air and that the airline will remain grounded until all the identified issues are resolved in compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
He explained that NCAA had carried out a financial and economic health audits in addition to technical safety audit of the airline.
“The outcome of the two audits revealed a weak financial position and grave violations of Nig.CARs which prompted the immediate suspension of the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC),” he said.
Nuhu said he was disappointed by some negative comments about regulatory body on some social media platforms based on an interview that took place on a television network.
“Almost the entirety of the comments during the interview were direct quotes of NCAA findings of the two audits.
“The details of these investigations and proactive action showed the professionalism of the apex regulatory agency,” he said.
The director general enjoined industry experts to seek clarifications from the agency in order to make informed and balanced comments.
“NCAA is open to informed criticisms geared towards improving the industry.
The detailed report of the two audits on Dana showed the determination of the authority’s staff in ensuring that the safety and security of flights is foremost and overrides all other considerations,” Nuhu added.
Recall that NCAA had in July suspended the operations of Dana Air’s Transport License (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely because of the outcome of a financial and economic health audit and a technical safety audit carried out on the airline’s flight operations.
According to NCAA, the airline was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
Nuhu explained that the agency’s action was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a) (1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015.
