NIGERIA-USG LED CIVIL AVIATION PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

UNCLAS ABUJA 000168 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA; USTDA - FITTS/MARIN; EXIM - JRICHTER DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA MEL CINTRON, AHARRIS DAKAR PASS TO FAA (MOIRA KEANE) ROME PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS USDA/FAS/OTP FOR MCKENZIE DEPT PASS TO USAID/AFR FOR ATWOOD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON ECON ETRD PGOV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA-USG LED CIVIL AVIATION PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES TO MOVE SECTOR FORWARD REF: ABUJA 2313 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On January 20, 2009 the U.S Mission led a search and rescue (SAR) briefing with Nigerian civil aviation officials in Abuja. Lt. Col. David MacKenzie, 17th Air Force, United States Air Force Africa Command, presented information on the United States search and rescue system. The forum raised awareness and advocated the importance of interagency co-operation with agreements on who takes the lead in responding to incidents, regular search exercises with specific objectives to include airports and airline operators, and additional SAR training. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On January 20, 2009 the U.S Mission led a search and rescue (SAR) briefing with Nigerian aviation officials in Abuja. The event was organized by the USG at the request of civil and public aviation stakeholders. The workshop attendees included officials from Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA); Nigerian Air Force (NAF); Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET); Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB); Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); and other aviation stakeholders. The session was coordinated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). ¶3. (SBU) The search and rescue (SAR) presentation focused on the state of air security in Africa, causes of air accidents, and enhancing air safety and security. All attendees agreed that Nigeria needs training from the USG for search and rescue (SAR). The Embassy's defense attache encouraged the NCAA to forward a letter of request with specific needs. Dr. Harold Demuren, NCAA Director General, agreed to follow up. Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to the search and rescue presentation, the global trend in aviation accidents is down; however there is a significant increase in aviation accidents in Africa. Aviation Safety Network (aviation-safety.net) has documented Nigeria's safety record at 43 fatal accidents and 1,325 lives lost since 1943. During 2008 Nigeria had only 1 recorded accident with 3 fatalities. The next highest African accident record since 1943 is Egypt with 34 fatal and 750 with casualties as documented by the. Nigeria wants to change its status. The goal of the Mission's Civil Aviation Public Private Partnership (PPP) is to increase safety and security through the attainment of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Category 1 certification. The Nigerian government has shown great diligence in its efforts over the past year toward attaining this status and GON officials expect the U.S Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) to give Nigeria a passing grade on half of the eight key areas required for the Category 1 certification by March 2009, if the momentum and results remain the same, Nigeria may see a full Category 1 rating within the next twelve months. The Mission appreciates the continued support of the 17th Air Force and the U.S Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) in sharing their expertise with the Nigerian aviation sector. ¶5. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS