Presidential Oversight, Adequate Funding of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), is key to timely and objective investigation.
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), faces significant funding challenges that impact its ability to conduct thorough and timely investigations into transportation accidents. According to the NSIB Act 2022, the bureau’s funding is expected to come from several sources, including¹:
– Annual Budgetary Allocations: The Federal Government provides annual budgetary allocations to support NSIB’s operations.
– Revenue from Transport Agencies: The Act mandates that certain percentages of revenue from transport agencies be remitted to NSIB, such as:
– 3% remittance from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on gross freight from international cargo.
– 5% remittance from Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on ticket sales and cargo charges.
However, NSIB’s funding challenges persist due to:
– Non-compliance by some agencies that have not fully complied with the statutory requirements to remit funds to NSIB, severely impacting the bureau’s operational capabilities.
– NSIB lacks sufficient resources, including personnel and technical capabilities, to effectively carry out its mandate.
To address these challenges, there have been calls for:
– The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology has urged for better funding to support NSIB’s critical role in ensuring transportation safety.
The lawmakers have promised to engage with relevant committees to ensure NSIB receives adequate funding and to resolve disputes amongst the relevant agencies and stakeholders.
– There is urgent need to relocate NSIB to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation under the Presidency could provide greater autonomy and access to funding.
The Importance of Presidential Oversight and Adequate Funding for NSIB
As a multimodal accident investigation agency, the NSIB is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents involving air, rail, road, and maritime transportation, the NSIB plays a critical role in ensuring transportation safety in Nigeria.
However, the effectiveness of the NSIB depends on two crucial factors: presidential oversight and adequate funding.
Presidential oversight is essential for the NSIB’s independence and objectivity. With strong presidential oversight, the NSIB can conduct investigations without external influence from any Ministry, ensuring that findings and recommendations are based solely on evidence and safety considerations. This independence is critical in maintaining public trust and ensuring that safety recommendations are implemented to prevent future accidents.
In addition, adequate funding is vital for the NSIB to carry out its mandate effectively. The NSIB’s funding comes from various sources, including:
– Initial Take-Off Subvention: Appropriated by the National Assembly
– Federal Government Appropriations: Annual budgetary allocations
– Endowments, and Grants: From persons and organizations
– Special Funds which are: 3% of gross freight from international cargo, 5% of ticket sales of rail passengers and cargo charges
With sufficient funding, the NSIB can:
– Gather evidence, analyze data, and identify safety issues to conduct thorough investigation
– Provide timely recommendations: Issue safety recommendations to operators, regulators, and other stakeholders
– Improve Transportation Safety by enhancing safety standards and prevent future accidents.
In conclusion, presidential oversight and adequate funding are crucial for the NSIB’s effectiveness in ensuring transportation safety in Nigeria. By providing the necessary support and resources, the NSIB can conduct objective investigations, identify safety issues, and provide recommendations to prevent future accidents. This, in turn, will enhance the safety of transportation in Nigeria, saving lives and reducing the economic impact of accidents.
Recommendations
To ensure the NSIB’s effectiveness, we recommend:
– Strengthening Presidential Oversight: Ensure the NSIB’s independence and objectivity in conducting investigations
– Increasing Funding: Provide adequate funding to support the NSIB’s mandate and activities
– Enhancing Transparency: Ensure transparency in the NSIB’s investigations and recommendations to maintain public trust
By implementing these recommendations, Nigeria can improve transportation safety and reduce the risk of accidents, ultimately saving lives and promoting economic development.
About the Writer
Mr. Oru Leonard is a Nigerian media professional and former Chairman of Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondent Association (ATACA). He’s a fellow of ARCON, member of NIM, and publisher of News Dot Africa. He’s also Vice Chairman of Nigerian Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum and member of IKOMCIMMA, showcasing his diverse professional background and achievements.
