An inspection team from the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation chaired by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji has lauded the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) for the effective management of their respective budgets for the year 2021.
The visit which occurred in Abuja on Tuesday was for the purpose of inspecting the advancement of various schemes which were included in the 2021 budget.
At the AIB office, the team which was led by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Musa Pali, was well received by the representative of the AIB Commissioner Engr. Akin Olateru – Engr. Mohammed Wali, who presented to them sites of ongoing projects such as the wreckage hangar; an additional office block under construction; the new site for the Flight Safety Laboratory; and the almost completed N645 million training school.
Engr. Wali proudly described the training school as a regional training organization, capable of hosting thirty (30) international students, revealing that AIB is getting ready to shoulder more responsibilities that will come from the passing of the amendment Bill by the National Assembly.
Prof. Bako Matazu, the Director General of NiMET who also gave a summary of NiMET’s activities thus far was pleased to note that his organization has been recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as a regional centre of excellence, and has positioned itself as an important capacity-building centre for other African nations.
He used the opportunity to entreat the Federal Government (FG) to expand the revenue base of NiMET, considering the fact that its weather predictions are not used only by aviators, but are used in almost every other sector.
In response to the various concerns raised, Hon. Pali reassured his audience that the necessary changes will be effected in the amendment Bill once it becomes law.
