Lagos: The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) recently conducted an Aircraft Emergency Tabletop Exercise at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), aiming to educate aviation stakeholders on managing aircraft emergencies and disaster situations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the exercise gathered key players in emergency management and Search and Rescue (SAR) from various aviation agencies. Director of Air Traffic Services at NAMA, Mr. John Tayo, emphasized the importance of serious participation for better preparedness during real emergencies. Represented by Mr. Sunday Iwalaiye, General Manager of NAMA’s SAR Unit, Tayo highlighted that Search and Rescue is a shared responsibility and organized the event into two sessions for greater effectiveness and engagement. He explained that categorizing Search and Rescue responsibilities into groups would help clearly define each agency’s specific role.
Mr. Tayo pointed out that a SAR incident involving aircraft qualifies as an aeronautical emergency, making role clarity crucial for efficiency. He also urged the media to ensure wide public coverage of the event. Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa, Regional General Manager, South-West at FAAN, praised the coordinators for organizing the training session, stressing the necessity of preparedness for emergencies.
Alh. Safo Jiya from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) underlined the critical role of safety in aviation activities, while Mr. Chris Onohwoakpo, Quality Assurance Manager at MMIA, reiterated the importance of readiness for unexpected emergencies. Mrs. Adenike Ibitayo, Head of SAR at NEMA Lagos, noted the unforeseen nature of the most recent global aviation disaster, urging collaboration among stakeholders to improve emergency response.
Mr. Jamin Salami of LASEMA emphasized the importance of disaster prevention alongside response. Mr. David Igberaese, Search Mission Coordinator at MMIA, led the exercise and noted that NAMA routinely conducts joint drills with NEMA to enhance coordination and save lives efficiently. He highlighted that ICAO mandates a 24-hour watch for all SAR operations, with locals sometimes serving as first responders in remote areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the event’s highlight was a simulated SAR scenario followed by a debriefing session. Agencies present included the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration Service, DSS, FRSC, Fire Service, NEMA, LASEMA, and the Nigerian Police, as well as the Airline Operators of Nigeria and the Lagos State Ambulance Services, reinforcing inter-agency collaboration.
