Abuja: The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has conducted a multi-agency aircraft crash mock exercise for the recertification of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. The exercise was led by Mr. John Tayo, the NAMA Director of Air Traffic Service, who emphasized its compliance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tayo, represented by Mr. Agoro Abayomi, Acting General-Manager of Search and Rescue at NAMA, stated that the exercise was a crucial part of the collective responsibility to uphold aviation safety and emergency preparedness. He underlined the importance of passenger, crew, and aircraft safety as paramount and non-negotiable. The exercises are designed to test readiness levels, enhance inter-agency coordination, and evaluate response strategies during an aircraft emergency.
Tayo expressed that the primary goal is to ensure full preparedness to respond swiftly and effectively to any real-life incidents, aiming to save lives and minimize damage. He commended all participating agencies for their collaboration and dedication to aviation safety. The agencies present at the exercise included the Nigerian Armed Forces, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian Air Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fire and Rescue Services, Medical Teams, Security Agencies, and other partners.
Tayo highlighted that aviation safety is a shared responsibility and can only be achieved through unity and seamless cooperation. He extended appreciation to the planning committee and personnel for their professionalism and commitment. He urged participants to treat the debriefing with seriousness, identifying strengths and areas for improvement to ensure future safety.
Mr. Macel Onwuakpa, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator at the Abuja airport, stated that the search and rescue mock exercise was a preparation for ICAO auditing. He explained that the exercise is part of the auditing process to ensure professional response by stakeholders at a crash site, a requirement for ICAO certification. Onwuakpa emphasized that the exercise’s purpose was not to assign blame but to prepare for real emergencies, with observed gaps to be addressed in subsequent discussions.