Following the crash of the Dana flight 9J 922 on June 3, 2012 which left 159 people dead, the families of victims of the crash and other plane crashes in Nigeria are today, commemorating the seventh anniversary of the crash.
With the memories of the June 3, 2012 incident ever fresh in their hearts, the families promised to dedicate their energies to ensure that air travels in Nigeria, after June 3rd, 2012 was safer than would have been the case.
In furtherance of the objective of making air travels in Nigeria and around the world safer, the families of the Dana Plane Crash alongside the families of all other previous plane crashes in Nigeria, incorporated “The Safer Skies Nigeria Foundation”.
In his remarks on Monday, the Foundation Chairman, Paul Okwulehie, hammered on the need to make aviation in Nigeria open and transparent.
He further said that, to ensure safety in the Nigerian airspace, safety audits must be regular, its implementation ensured and the information be made public.
Okwulehie, who was addressing the press, stressed that beyond the failures of DANA Management and Regulatory Bodies, the crash of DANA 9J 922 was supposed to be a rescue mission, adding that lack of systems stalled the rescue of their loved ones.
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Remarks by Families of Victims of the DANA Plane Crash and other Plane crashes in Nigeria.
Delivered by Paul Okwulehie (Chairman)
Gentlemen of the Press, We were here this time last year (2018) to mark the Sixth Anniversary of the death of our Loved Ones on DANA Air Flight 9J 922 on a clear-sky Sunday afternoon on the 3rd of June 2012. We are here again today.
We are here because no day, since June 3, 2012 has erased their memories from our hearts.
On the occasion of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries we reiterated the questions we had asked on 3rd June 2012-what exactly happened to DANA 9J 922 on that day? Why did it happen? Who are responsible? And now, what has changed? Why would it not happen? What about the rights of families they left behind? Are compensations paid?
We promised that we would dedicate our energies to ensuring that air travels in Nigeria, after June 3rd, 2012 was safer than would have been the case. This is still work in progress.
It was only after 5 years, the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) released the Accident Report relating to the crash of Dana Air Flight 9J 922. From the Report the following emerged: the pilot (Mr Waxton) was unqualified, would not call out operating procedure, did not land at the nearest airport when the first engine failed, had earlier been suspected by the US Federal Aviation Authority for various misdemeanors and had received negative evaluation by his trainers.
Similarly, Dana Air and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) fell woefully short of discharging their supervisory and regulatory responsibilities. All reference letters presented by the unqualified pilot to DANA and NCAA were neither signed nor authenticated.
The background check on the Captain was shamefully inadequate. The line training given to him was hurried and there was no evidence that his deficiencies were corrected before the crash. Furthermore, there were discrepancies on the amount of fuel uplifted by the aircraft on that flight. We simply stated the findings of the AIB investigator Report. As Families of Victims, we would continue to reserve our comments until all on-going Court processes are completed.
Beyond the Failures of DANA Management and Regulatory Bodies, the crash of DANA 9J 922 was supposed to be a rescue mission. Some of our loved ones would have been rescued. They were not, for the simple reason that no system was in place on June 3rd,2012. Is there one in place now? Is it rehearsed, updated and fine-tuned?
We had, on the 4th Anniversary made twelve recommendations, we believe would significantly make the Nigerian airspace safer for air travels. Did any of the relevant agencies and operators take notice?
We had recommended constant review of the qualification experience and competence of all pilots flying commercial aircraft in Nigeria, among several recommendations. Are all our technical crew subjected to continuous checks? The aviation industry in any country should not be a secret cult. There is the need to make aviation in Nigeria open and transparent. To ensure safety in the Nigerian airspace, safety audits must be regular and its implementation ensured. The information should be made public.
It is not felt that Ministers of Chief Executives under whose watch Dana-like crashes occur should be allowed to retain their seats. It is in furtherance of the objective of making air travels in Nigeria and around the world safer that we, the families of the Dana Plane Crash with the Families of all other previous plane crashes in Nigeria incorporated The Safer Skies Nigeria Foundation. We use this opportunity to ask you to join us in this endeavor.
It would be uncharitable on this Occasion not to mention the Crash of Indonesian Lion Air in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airline Flight ET 302, on 10th March 2019 both killing all passengers and crew on Board. Both crashes have been attributed to the technical failure of the MCAS device fitted on the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.We had on those occasions extended our heartfelt condolences to their families.
We use this opportunity to request governments and regulatory authorities around the world to make safety the primary consideration in the return of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft model to Service around the world.
With respect to the widely publicized information that the Federal government of Nigeria intends to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from its international status to a local airport following safety concerns from airlines, we advise that all elements confounding safety be removed and at the same time further upgrade the airport to retain its international status complimenting Abuja, Lagos and Kano International airports as a deliberate strategy to grow the Nigerian Economy.
On the Occasion of this Seventh Anniversary, the following events have been planned;
i) 10am, Monday June 3 2019-visit/prayers at the cenotaph in Abuja and Lagos and personal praying at resting place of our loved ones or from wherever we are at 10 am. We strongly urge you to be at the cenotaph for just one hour.
ii) Thursday June 27,2019 a. Panel Discussion on: Topic:” Making Flying Safer Around The World, especially, in Nigeria” {10am-11am}
b. Seminar on” safety of Aviation in Nigeria” [11:30am-1pm]
Panelists and discussants are Aviation correspondents, Aviation practitioners, Aviation safety experts, civil society, regulation institutions etc.
We use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for the support we have received as families of Plane crashes in Nigeria and urge all Nigerians to join the Safer Skies Nigeria Foundation to make flying in Nigeria and around the world safer.
Thank you for attending and listening.
Paul Okwulehie, Chairman (Safer Skies Nigeria Foundation). Dated 3rd June 2019.
