Very happy to read the comments from Minister Omotoba of Nigeria. Avoidable air crashed should not be happening in this day and age with the current level of mitigation technology that is available to aviation management organizations worldwide. Nigerians will be comfortable knowing their government has taken steps to provide the necessary infrastructures and proposed effective legislatures to ensure that air operators conform to standards that allows for the best possible flight air safety environment. Technical resources available today could allow the Ministry of Aviation to automatically gather safety-enhancing data from all Nigeria-based aircrafts and apply this information into a computer-based program for monitoring the safety of the overall national and regional air space.

This capability, which is currently available in Canada and in some other countries, will allow the ministry to observe minor and major incidents on an on-going basis and to take pro-active actions as necessary. It could mean interfacing with airline operators early enough, to demand improvements in equipment and or pilot performance, in order to militate against crashes.

I am sure that the Nigerian flying public and international travelers, to or wishing to pass through Nigeria, will appreciate the comfort and peace of mind this type of capacity brings. The Minister’s commitment to improved aviation safety is very laudable and all Nigerians should congratulate him and President Umaru Musa Yar'adua for their efforts to bring our performance to rank among the best in the world. Nigerians and the aviation industry worldwide are watching.