The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Tuesday conducted an aircraft emergency table top exercise to enlighten aviation stakeholders on how to manage aircraft emergencies and disasters.
The exercise which took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, brought key stakeholders in emergency management and Search and Rescue Units drawn from all the aviation agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Department of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASANBUS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
Declaring the exercise open, the Director of Air Traffic Services (ATS) at NAMA, John Tayo urged all stakeholders who attended to take the exercise seriously. Emphasising that Search and Rescue (SAR) is everybody’s business, he said, “This morning, we are going to combine two things. To get fruitful results, we want to separate stakeholders meeting and the aircraft emergency exercise.”
The Director, who was represented by the General Manager, SAR, NAMA, Sunday Iwalaiye streamlined the exercise into two sessions. He said: “We cannot start the exercise without knowing clearly the responsibilities of each agency. Any Search and Rescue involving an aircraft is aeronautical emergency.”
In his remark, , Regional General Manager, South West, FAAN, Olatokunbo Arewa, commended the coordinators for organisers of the exercise, urging all participants to support the exercise.
“This is a thing we should all support. Although, no one wants emergencies to happen but it does happen. I want all stakeholders to take note on what to do when emergencies occur,” Arewa added.
A representative of the NCAA, Safo Jiya, commended the coordinators saying, “Safety is paramount for us at the NCAA. We are here to learn.”
In his remark, the Quality Assurance Manager of MMIA, Chris Onohwoakpo said, “Although many stakeholders don’t want emergency situations, we gathered here to learn what we don’t ever want to happen in aviation.”
Explaining the essence of the exercise, Search Mission Coordinator, MMIA, Igberaese David said, “The goal is rescuing the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), 24 hour watch must be provided in the Search and Rescue operations.
“Search and Rescue is everybody’s business because when it occurs in remote areas, the farmers eventually become the first responders.”