Olateru’s Re-Appointment: Stakeholders assess performance
Players in the Nigerian aviation industry have applauded the re-appointment of Engr. Akin Olateru as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) by the Federal Government, but they want the helmsman to improve on training for technical staff as he assumes office. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.
The last Monday’s re-appointment of Engr. Akin Olateru as the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) did not come to many followers of events in the Nigeria’s aviation industry as a surprise.
Olateru, who became the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in AIB-N to successfully serve out his four-year tenure, having being appointed January 9, 2017, placed the hitherto incongruous bureau in the international spotlight and advanced its rating, not only in the aviation industry in Nigeria, but the entire nation.
In his maiden interaction with aviation journalists in 2017, Olateru did say his vision at the bureau was to improve its infrastructure and equipment, make training a top priority for all staff in a bid to develop their technical know-how and position AIB as an envious place to work in the industry.
He said: “I have heard a lot about AIB. I know it is the smallest in the ministry, but, before the end of my tenure, I will ensure that the agency becomes the biggest of all. That’s my mission.
“However, for that to happen, I will require the maximum cooperation of all staff. I can’t do it alone, but we are here to make it happen. It is for the benefit of all staff of AIB if we can make this organisation to work. It’s not about size sometimes, but about efficiency and effectiveness.
“Aviation is highly technical, very expensive and the most regulated in the world. At the end of the day, we are all going to be happy because everyone will go on training and more opportunities would be given to people.”
True to his words, Olateru brought changes to the bureau, increased its activeness and responsibilities to the aviation community. The AIB-N’s contributions to the reduction of air accidents in Nigeria cannot be underestimated.
Unlike in the past when safety reports of serious incidents and accidents were unnecessarily delayed and failed to prevent recurrence, Olateru made it a priority to ensure that safety reports were released on-time with quality recommendations.
In his first stint as the CEO, Olateru supervised the release of a total of 40 final reports, including several outstanding accident/incident reports.
The releases made up of 67.8 per cent of AIB’s total of 59 final reports since inception of the bureau in 2007.
Also, AIB’s investigators issued 130 safety recommendations in these reports, thereby accounting for 61.6 per cent of the total 211 recommendations issued since inception of the bureau.
Besides, Olateru ensured that the bureau’s Flight Safety Laboratory was equipped and its software upgraded to the latest technology available, which allows it to simulate animations based on data from the Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), and was accredited for FDR/CVR Replay and Analysis by the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI).
Olateru originated collaborations and cooperation agreements with several countries and institutions such as Republic of Benin, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA- France), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
It is also to his credit that he initiated the expansion of scope of work of the AIB-N by making efforts to ensure that it becomes a multi-modal agency, which would carry out accident investigation in all modes of transport, thereby enhancing transport safety in the country.
The bill to this effect is currently before the National Assembly; once approved and assented to by the President; AIB-N would metamorphose into Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Speaking on the recent appointments in aviation industry, Dr. Gabriel Olowo said that the appointments were good for the sector.
He, however, said that the re-appointment of Olateru was merited, adding that he displayed high visions and ensured that the bureau carried out its duties professionally in all strata.
He said: “His re-appointment is well-deserved. When visionary professionals are placed on seats and they take ownership of results seriously, you will experience sustained growth, which we are currently experiencing. I salute Olateru and the right choice by the minister.”
Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, the Director, Zenith Travels, said that Olateru’s re-appointment was commendable, having maintained standards and improved services provided by the bureau, especially in the area of technology and training of technical personnel in the system.
Ohunayo also said that unlike in the past when accident reports were investigated, kept in the shelve and not made public, Olateru ensured quick release of serious incidents and accidents reports, stressing that with this, the safety recommendations have contributed to immensely to enhancing safety in the sector.
He, however, advised Olateru to improve on the existing system, communication between the bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other accident investigation organisations around the world, especially in West Africa.
He said: “When you investigate incidents or accidents and are not in the public domain, then, it adds no value to the system, but when you make them public, recommend appropriately, then, implementation can take place. I give kudos to him (Olateru).
“My advice to him is that he should continue to improve on the reportage. I also want to see improvement in the communication with the regulator. I think there must be better synergy and improved backroom chats between the two.
“I also expect him to continue to improve the technology aspect and training of key personnel. They need to be updated regularly with new technology. He should also form a better interaction with all accident investigation bureaus worldwide because you cannot be an island.”
The Zenith Travels boss, further urged Olateru to continue with his pursuit of intermodal accident investigation agitation, emphasising that this would lead to improved safety in all modes of transportation, while causes of accidents either on the road, sea, rail and air would easily be determined and their recurrence prevented.
Also, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, aviation analyst, said that despite the paucity of funds in AIB-N, Olateru blazed the trail and performed beyond expectations in the office.
He, however, advised Olateru to continue to deepen the process, ensure fewer incidences, non-accidents through advocacy, monitoring of recommended practices and other responsibilities that would enhance the industry’s status.
Abioye also lauded Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation for re-appointing Olateru, despite some challenges and the underpinning politics.
“Let me begin by congratulating Engr. Akin Olateru on his reappointment as AIB’s helmsman. I pray God grants him the wisdom, courage and knowledge to do better than his first term in office. For free, I will say that notwithstanding the foundations already on ground, Olateru blazed the trail and excelled beyond expectations, given the paucity of resources under his management.
“He has clearly demonstrated that if you create the right attitude, the right atmosphere and leverage, all things are possible.” Besides, Grp. John Ojikutu, aviation analyst said that Olateru had improved the image of the bureau than any of its predecessors in office. For instance, Ojikutu said within a spate of four years, Olateru spearheaded the release of over 100 safety recommendations for operators, equipment manufacturers, ground handling companies, aviation agencies, including NCAA and others.
Besides, he said Olateru took as necessity the timely release of preliminary and final reports on serious incidents and accidents, while training of all personnel were not equally relegated to the background. “More than 150 safety recommendations from accidents reports of over 20 years meant for implementations by various operators and even the regulators were closed within two years of his appointment.
“Preliminary and final reports on serious incidents and accidents were timely released within the established time. There had been regular training for the investigators, just as there have been partnership and cooperation between the board and contemporary international boards especially the regional board. These are achievements never seen after the achievements of NCAA in 2006/2012, with any of the civil aviation agencies,” Ojikutu said.
Ojikutu also mentioned the appointment of Engr. Charles Erhueh, a safety investigator with AIB-N, Commissioner of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) as one of the achievements of Olateru in office, stressing that his choice was due to the regional cooperation initiated by Olateru.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had last Monday approved the re-appointment of Olateru and appointment of two others; Prof. Bako Mansur Matazu ass the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Capt. Modibbo Alkali Mahmud as the new Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria.
Dr. James Odaudu, the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation had said that the changes were in line with the administration’s commitment to the implementation of the Aviation Development Roadmap.
