NAFSA Seeks NCAA’s Partnership
The Nigeria Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) has sought the partnership with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
NAFSA said that its partnership with the regulatory agency was aimed at achieving growth in the Nigerian aviation industry.
NAFSA leadership led by Comrade Sunday Ugbeikwu, its President, stated this on Thursday at the NCAA’s headquarters at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja when the team paid a courtesy visit to Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Ugbeikwu added that the meeting hoped to achieve effective collaboration, familiarisation and good rapport with the regulatory agency.
The President further canvassed for NCAA’s aerodrome firefighters to be part of the membership of the association, saying that this was within their jurisdiction.
He added: “NAFSA is a professional body with our branches across the airports. One of our aims and objectives is to uplift and improve the quality of fire service. We have a role to play in nationl building. Whatever role we play, the role of national building comes first.
“We want to collaborate with NCAA because it is a major agency in the sector. There is no airport that exists anywhere in the world without firefighters. We want to have a strong relationship with every important associations or organisations in the sector.”
Also speaking at the meeting, Comrade Emmanuel Akinwunmi, the General Secretary, NAFSA, emphasised the critical roles firefighters play in sustaining safety of humans and equipment in the industry.
He specifically recalled the role of NAFSA during the ill-fated Sosoliso Flight 1145 and Bellview Flight 210 crashes, which occurred on August 22, 2005 and December 10, 2005, respectively.
He reiterated that NAFSA needed to continue to work closely with NCAA in a bid to promote efficiency in firefighting operations.
In his remarks, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the DGCA, lauded the efforts of the current NAFSA leadership in promoting professionalism and collaboration in the sector.
Nuhu who was represented at the occasion by Engr. Tayo Odunowo, the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, NCAA, promised that the regulatory agency would collaborate with the association.
Nuhu, further challenged the NAFSA leadership to seek more collaborations and Memoranda Of Understandings (MoU) with the other relevant authorities in the sector, saying that this would lead to attainment of common goals.
Also at the meeting was Mr. Adebayo Oladipo, the General Manager, Aerodrome Standards, NCAA who expressed delight with the association for its intent to seek collaboration.
Besides, Mr. Adeniyi Ogunba, the Assistant General Manager, Aerodrome Standards, NCAA, said firefighters had contributed to the growth of the industry in numerous ways and enjoined the current leadership to push for entrenchment of professionalism among its members.