1 month ago
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The Director General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh, has decried the continued disregard for the bureau’s establishment act of 2022 by the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency by refusing to remit the statutory percentage of their revenue to the bureau.
Badeh, while re-opening the bureau’s regional office in Lagos on Friday, noted that the violation of the law by NIMASA and NRC had continued to adversely affect the activities of the bureau.
It will be recalled that the NSIB’s operational office was demolished to pave the way for development during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
But over three years after the office was pulled down by the former minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, nothing was done at the site as the space has been taken over by grass.
This development, according to the DG of the bureau, has caused an obvious setback to it operations, adding that the nightmare was ended through the help of the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
He said, “However, our journey is far from complete. We continue to face significant challenges in fulfilling our mandate, notably securing the necessary funding to support our operations.
“The non-compliance with the NSIB Establishment Act of 2022 by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigerian Railway Commission in remitting the statutorily required percentages of their revenue to NSIB has severely impacted our ability to conduct comprehensive multi-modal accident investigations.
“The NSIB Establishment Act of 2022 stipulates that NIMASA should remit three per cent of the gross freight from international cargo, while the NRC is required to contribute five per cent of ticket sales and cargo charges. This financial shortfall not only limits our operational capabilities but also hinders our growth and effectiveness in safeguarding Nigerian lives.”
The NSIB boss, however, appealed for the Federal Government’s financial support, “to enable us to effectively fulfil our mandate, conduct thorough investigations, enhance safety standards, and contribute meaningfully to advancing transportation safety across Nigeria”.
Responding at the event, Keyamo appreciated Badeh’s work, recalling how the NSIB office was pulled down.
His words, “A functional office owned by the NSIB was demolished for no reason, that was very sad and the DG spokes with me when I got into office and we have no choice but to make this happen and all the accolades should not come to me but to the DG NSIB for his drive and passion for this agency, which has driven this agency forward. This looks good, I thank you and all the other directors here seated.
“And on the issue of the non-remitted funds from the other agencies, thankfully my brother is here, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation. Please, thank him very much. I must tell you all that a lot has happened as regards making what you want to happen and a lot is still going on behind the scenes and very soon you will begin to see some change of attitude by the other agencies and you will have your funds. It may not be all of it.”
Meanwhile, an attempt to speak with NRC publicist, Mahmoud Yakub, was unsuccessful and he did not pick up repeated calls to his phone number, nor did he respond SMS sent to him on the issue.
Also, the spokesperson of NIMASA, Edward Osagie’s phone rang once and became unreachable afterwards and he did not reply to messages sent to him by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
English (US) ·