Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Collaborate to Enhance Crash Site Safety
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting safety and the preservation of critical evidence at crash sites.
Speaking at the MoU signing event held at LASEMA’s office in Lagos, Akin Olateru, the Director-General of NSIB, emphasized the importance of partnerships between agencies and organizations for the benefit of the country.
Olateru highlighted that while NSIB is not the first responder in accident situations, it is essential to collaborate with first responders such as LASEMA, police, the military, and other critical organizations. The NSIB’s new Act of 2022 empowers the agency to investigate serious incidents and accidents across all modes of transportation to enhance overall safety.
Olateru emphasized that the MoU signing resulted from discussions initiated in March of the same year, and the agency’s collaborations are always geared towards national interests. LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, noted that the agency has previously signed MoUs with various entities, including 25 United Nations agencies and a local institution in the state.
He highlighted that disaster management is a collective responsibility and that the MoU with NSIB is focused on addressing airspace emergencies or disasters. Oke-Osanyintolu further mentioned their joint effort with NSIB in responding to a recent aircraft accident, which helped prevent fatalities at the crash site.