As investigations to ascertain the cause of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crash continue, the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh, has given assurance of transparency and accountability.
This is contained in a statement signed by the bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, on Saturday in Lagos.
It said Badeh and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Mr Abiodun Akinlade, visited the accident scene, to know the progress of recovery and investigation operations.
The officials reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to a transparent and thorough inquiry into the accident to improve transport safety in Nigeria, the statement said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the helicopter, with registration number 5N BQG and operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean in Port Harcourt, on Oct. 24.
The chopper was transporting eight individuals.
Since the accident, NSIB, with support from local and international partners, has coordinated a search and recovery mission to locate the wreckage and examine the cause of the tragedy.
According to the statement, during the visit, Badeh and Akinlade received updates from the multi-disciplinary search and recovery team and were briefed on recovery progress and investigation procedures.
“We are committed to uncovering the facts of this tragic incident.
“Our team is deploying the highest standards to ensure we bring clarity to the families affected, while enhancing safety measures that will benefit all Nigerians.
“Transparency and accountability guide this process as we work to bring closure to those impacted and provide actionable recommendations to improve aviation safety,” the statement quoted Badeh as saying.
It also quoted Akinlade as saying that the Federal Government was commitment to the recovery and NSIB’s mission, ensuring that the findings would contribute to safety reform.
Expressing condolences to families affected, Akinlade said that the government prioritised the welfare of all citizens, the statement said.
“This tragedy affects us all, and our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones.
“The safety of our citizens and the integrity of our transport system are priorities for the National Assembly.
“We will ensure that insights and lessons from this investigation contribute to Nigeria’s aviation safety policies and broader transport safety initiatives, it quoted Akinlade as saying.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NSIB has recovered bodies of five of the eight individuals said to be aboard the ill-fated helicopter.
On October 31, NSIB announced the recovery of the wreckage of the ditched chopper.
(NAN)