By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman has cautioned information managers and Public Relations officers    at the country’s airports to do a  critical review of information dissemination during accidents and incidents.

Capt. Usman who made the call few days after the Bristow Helicopters crash that killed 6 passengers on board said that information managers should tinker with the subsisting approach of information flow when there is an accident or incident.

He further calls for an integrated and unified approach among all information managers during emergencies.
He said: “We should put on the table a synergy and a robust working relationship within this group. When I say all of you this includes the public relations apparatchik of NCAA.

“If we commence integrated information, there will be a concerted approach when there are accidents and incidents. On the reality, airline operations worldwide are not without its fair share of incidents.”

The DG continued, “the public character of aviation imposes on it a dual role. Commercial airlines should advance their private interest, stimulate growth and compete in the realms of operations. However, this should be done within the stipulates of NCAA’s regulations.

“In Nigeria today, we have 30 certified air operators, over 400 in-service aircraft registered in Nigeria. In addition, there are about 46 corporate jets, 130 helicopters and 100 foreign registered private jets.”

Usman used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to progressively strengthen oversight responsibilities to entrench safe and secure air transportation in the country.

He reminded the airlines to clear all outstanding indebtedness as the regulatory Authority will soon commence severe sanctions on all defaulters.