The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a comprehensive national aviation safety reporting system that covers both mandatory and voluntary reporting. This initiative, led by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, is aimed at enhancing safety measures within the aviation industry and aligning with international standards.
In an official communication addressed to all aviation stakeholders and the general public, Capt. Musa Nuhu highlighted the deployment of the Safety Data Collection and Reporting System (SDCPS), also referred to as the Safety Management System (SMS) Pro. This web-based software, accessible at www.ncaasms.com, mirrors the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) framework, encompassing safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion.
Capt. Nuhu emphasized the importance of compliance with Annex 19 to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Act of 2022, which mandates the implementation of the Aviation State Safety Programme.
The SDCPS enables full integration of the aviation sector, granting each service provider custom handles issued by the NCAA for submitting reports into the system. Capt. Nuhu outlined that while mandatory paper reports may still be accepted, mandatory reporting through the system will become compulsory starting from September 1.
He stressed that service providers should create awareness within their organizations regarding the system’s implementation and provide documented evidence to the NCAA by no later than October 1, 2023. Once custom handles for submission are provided, key personnel such as flight crew, engineers, air traffic controllers, and cabin crew will be able to submit reports through the system, ensuring automatic categorization under the relevant service provider.
Capt. Nuhu underlined that both the NCAA and the NSIB (Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau) would have access to all submitted reports, allowing them to promptly assess risks and handle reports accordingly.
As the implementation of the aviation safety reporting system commences, industry stakeholders are expected to work in collaboration with the NCAA to ensure effective reporting, risk assessment, and safety enhancement measures. This step is expected to elevate the safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector, fostering confidence among both industry professionals and the traveling public.
