During the handover ceremony yesterday in Abuja, former NSIB DG Akin Olateru provided a promise to Badeh that they would use state-of-the-art technology to revolutionize safety standards by proactively identifying and resolving any dangers.
In addition to representatives from all government ministries, departments, and organizations, he promised to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and other relevant parties such as airlines, marine authorities, and train operators.
"With his five-point agenda for the ministry, which houses the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Minister has mapped out a clear course," he remarked. It is a privilege to be a member of the steering committee for this journey, and I am totally dedicated to carrying out the agenda's first item, which is to guarantee tight adherence to safety rules and consistently raise Nigeria's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rating.
"I want the NSIB to be known for the revolutionary strides in transportation safety that we pioneer, not for the disasters we look into. We won't just respond to mishaps; instead, we'll take proactive measures to avoid them altogether.
"We will use data, technology, and human creativity to create a world where every trip is done with confidence and every mile is traveled with the knowledge that one will arrive home safely.
"I have four main pillars paving my road forward: First, a firm dedication to quality. As the Director-General, it is my primary responsibility to further the Minister's objectives by making it a top priority for all forms of transportation to embrace worldwide safety standards.
"We will not only be focused on compliance; we will also be committed to bringing about revolutionary change in order to create a safer future. An all-year round multimodal transportation system devoid of accidents is our aim. Although it is a lofty objective, it is doable.
"In order to accomplish this, we will use state-of-the-art technology to transform safety procedures, proactively recognizing and mitigating possible risks and providing astute advice to the appropriate authorities." Second, cooperation between agencies and sectors.
"In the aviation industry, we will work together with airlines and authorities to improve safety management systems. In order to improve safety protocols in all maritime operations—from passenger ferries to fishing boats and cargo ships—we will collaborate with relevant maritime stakeholders.
"We will collaborate with the railway corporation's leadership to integrate cutting-edge technology in order to greatly reduce the risk of intrusion, accident, and derailment while safeguarding railroad employees. In order to address the primary causes of traffic accidents, such as speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol impairment, we will also collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps.
He urged NSIB employees to closely follow established protocols and rules, cautioning them against deviating from safety standards and emphasizing that the highest transparency and accountability will be integral parts of his leadership at the agency.
At the NSIB, accountability and transparency are essential components of our dedication to safety. We shall work to maintain the greatest standards of professionalism at all levels under my direction.
Let me say this clearly: neither NSIB employees nor transport operators will be allowed to deviate from established standard operating procedures (SOPs) or compromise on safety procedures. Any such infractions will result in swift and serious punitive consequences, he warned.
He said, among other things, "Waves of ships, and the asphalt of roads" in reference to marine safety. It is a pledge that safety and having zero accidents will always be our top priorities. In the event of unanticipated events, we will take all necessary steps to ensure everyone's well-being and learn from the experience, making every move forward a step towards a safer future for all travelers.