Lagos — The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced preparations to relocate its headquarters to Abuja following Federal Government's directive ordering aviation parastatals to move to the federal capital.

AIB's spokesperson, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said the first phase of the exercise involves the top management officials who have already moved to Abuja.

In a statement, Oketunbi said the management has held its first management meeting in the federal capital, adding that one of the issues discussed at the meeting presided over by the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the AIB, Dr Sam Oduselu was how to make the relocation a success.

He said the agency, which is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents is already working round the clock to ensure a smooth movement for its employees from Lagos.

Oduselu charged the AIB management team to ensure a hitch free relocation even as he enjoined the workers not to allow the exercise to affect their official performance. He reminded them of the important position the agency occupies in the promotion of aviation safety.

The Federal Government through the Civil Aviation Act 2006 section 29 established the Accident Investigation Bureau as a corporate body and an autonomous agency reporting to the President through the Minister in charge of aviation. It commenced operations in April, 2007.

Before then the agency, known as Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) was a department in the Ministry of Aviation.

The autonomy granted the Bureau was to ensure its freedom from government bureaucracy and political influence as well as the credibility of its reports.

AIB gathers and analyses air safety data for accident and incident prevention purposes.

The Bureau also ensures compliance with safety recommendations by carrying out accident prevention monitoring programs even as it liaises and collaborates with industry stakeholders in ensuring aviation safety.