International
delegates from the sub-region have started a four-day meeting of the first
Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency Commission (1st BAGAIA) in
Banjul organised by the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.
Delivering
his opening statement yesterday, Works and Transport minister Dodou Bammy Jagne
welcomed the delegates to the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency
Commission meeting.
He
said a lot had been achieved since the inception of the Banjul Accord, adding
that some of those achievements would be reported by the various centres during
the course of the deliberation.
“I
am pleased to note that six (6) of the seven BAG countries have nominated
members to the commission in accordance with Article 8 (3),” Minister Jagne
said.
“I
have nominated retired Colonel Lawrence Jarra for The Gambia to the Commission.
I am sure he will be an active member for the implementation of BAGAIA and its
aims and objectives,” he added.
According
to Minister Jagne, the meeting will be rolled out with an ambitious agenda to
accomplish a full and timely implementation of BAGAIA.
“The
discussion on a possible enlargement of BAGAIA to cover other countries in West
and Central Africa is also an interesting initiative,” he added.
Minister
Jagne said the need for individual countries to establish independent accident
investigation units calls for significant resources.
The
investment requirement seemed to outweigh the resources available, he said,
adding that a regional accident investigation organisation caters for and
eliminates the duplication of efforts by pooling human technical and financial
resources.
“It
facilitates the recruitment and retainment of investigators to gain experience
more quickly, he said.
Gambia
Civil Aviation Authority’s acting director general Babucarr Cham, in his
remarks on the occasion, said when BAGAIA Commission was formed in Banjul about
twenty years ago, it is to be recognised as a reliable vehicle for bringing
about positive change in the aviation industry both within the region and the
world at large.
The
pioneers at that time because they were aware of the responsibility ahead of
time, had continued to work tirelessly towards the collective good, he noted.
The
Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was very grateful to host the first
meeting of the BAGAIA Commission in The Gambia, he said, adding that the
authority would like to assure all stakeholders of GCCA’s support towards the
success of the meeting and related activities in the future.
