AIB deploys technology to enhance timely reportage of accidents

Apparently to enhance its functions and interface with members of the general public, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has deployed technology as part of its operations.

Specifically, the bureau launched a mobile app for easy and real-time reportage of serious incidences in the aviation industry nationwide.

The initiative has also been commended by stakeholders as a step in the right direction, keeping the bureau in tune with latest happenings in the ever-busy air travel sector.

Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Akin Olateru, said that the initiative was aimed at changing the narrative in incidents and accidents reportage in the country, where the norm is to have issues reported late and in black and white.

Olateru said his plan for AIB is to take the agency to the next level, using technology.

He said: “Part of the efforts is to reposition the agency to global relevance and in line with global best practices. The AIB app is in accordance with our style of improving procedure to ease how industry players can reach us in case of accident.

“Reports used to be by paper reporting. Now, it is free download for sending information like accident or serious incidents. Also, members of the public can use it to send eyewitness accounts real-time.

“The application gives us a new and more convenient way to receive aircraft accident report in real-time, thereby increasing promotional opportunities with push notifications and more, which depicts its core objectives of accident and incidence investigation reports,” Olateru said.

The commissioner was optimistic that the app would improve engagement with Nigerians by providing easy and open access to the bureau and its activities.

Under his watch, AIB has released 10 out of the 27 outstanding accident reports, with a total of 35 safety recommendations. Some of the outstanding reports are as old as 17 years!

Stakeholders have applauded the initiative with the hope that it will boost the activities at the bureau.

Aviation Security Consultant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), said the launch of the mobile application would further make the job of AIB easier, while the public would have better access to the bureau.

Ojikutu observed that there is a provision in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) regulation Act, which allows even aircraft crew to make a report to the authority without the knowledge of airline management.

He added that the launch of the application puts AIB in tune of happenings in the global aviation industry.

Ojikutu said: “I am 100 per cent with AIB on this because we have been keeping a lot of things away from the bureau. There are lots of things that we have seen during investigations, which we expected that NCAA should act, but didn’t. However, since AIB is doing that, I think it is a step in the right direction and the management should be commended for coming forth with the idea.”

In similar vein, Coordinator, Centre for Aviation Safety and Research (CAS-R), Engr. Sheri Kyari, said such technology applications would always enable AIB in the discharge of its duties.

Kyari said if AIB has quick access to information, it would prevent recurrence of serious incident or accident in the sector, adding that the current management had done a lot to ensure improvement in the sector.

The Application is available for free download on the Apple, Android and Google play stores. A user of iphone could install the application through App Store, which contains a white “A” inside a circle. Tap search at the bottom of the screen and type AIB NIGERIA to download. Select the name or an image of an app you’d like to add to your iPhone.

When the app is installed, AIB NIGERIA icon will be added to your home screen and the install button will be replaced with a button, which says ‘OPEN.’ Tapping it launches the app you have just downloaded.