Editor
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has urged for the cooperation and backing of all stakeholders to fortify the safety framework across all modes of transportation in Nigeria.
During the Transport Summit organized by the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) under the theme, “Intermodal Transport: Prospects and Challenges,” the Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr., emphasized the necessity for collaboration among various entities to ensure safety in transportation.
Badeh expressed dismay over the lack of synergy from certain transportation and maritime-related government agencies, noting that many choose to keep safety concerns under wraps.
Formerly known as the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), NSIB was restricted to investigating air transport accidents in Nigeria. However, following the amendment of its Act, the Bureau has been granted the authority to probe accidents in all transportation modes, mirroring the structure of the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The Director-General emphasized the urgency of interagency collaboration to extend the aviation sector’s safety standards to other transportation modes.
He underscored that while aviation is heavily regulated globally with safety as the top priority, other transportation sectors lack similar stringent regulations.
He pointed out the reluctance of some maritime agencies to cooperate with NSIB, highlighting the need for a unified effort to enhance safety across all transportation sectors.
NSIB’s investigative focus is not to assign blame but to safeguard lives.
The Director-General called for full cooperation from other agencies, stressing that accident prevention is a collective responsibility involving the public, investigators, and regulators.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos and Executive Director of the Centre of Sustainable Mobility and Access Development (CenMAD), emphasized the importance of thorough investigations by NSIB as a multimodal agency.
Mr. Michael Ogunsola, Head of Business Development at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), acknowledged the misconceptions about NSIB’s aviation-centric focus and pledged the authority’s commitment to collaborating with the Bureau to enhance waterway safety.
