Ex-lawmaker Ossai exposes NASS, says records of air crashes in Nigeria not available in Parliament

A former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, has stated that Nigeria’s legislative body, the National Assembly, does not have any records of investigations into all air crashes that have occurred in the country.

Ossai, who represented the Ndokwa/Nkwani Federal Constituency of Delta State in the 8th and 9th Assemblies, wondered how lawmakers could effectively oversee the aviation sector without an adequate database.

He made these remarks at a one-day capacity development training and retreat for stakeholders in the aviation industry. The event was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to Ossai, the lack of such vital information about the sector makes proper oversight difficult for Parliament, adding that, as a result, lawmaking aimed at repositioning the industry becomes challenging.

The former lawmaker stressed that the National Assembly must overhaul its oversight mechanism and ask critical questions about the sector’s operations and why certain issues persist.

He lamented that only about three airlines in Nigeria were functioning optimally, questioning why this should be the case.

Expressing concern over safety issues in the aviation industry, he recalled his experience with a Dana Air flight that later crashed in Lagos in 2012.

He said, “We had travelled to Lagos on an oversight visit and returned to Abuja on that Dana aircraft with the then Director-General of NAFDAC. I felt something was wrong with the aircraft because there was a noticeable smell. We landed in Abuja, and nobody checked it. Instead, it made a return trip to Lagos and eventually crashed.”

Ossai emphasised that the Nigerian aviation industry plays a critical role in the nation’s economic growth, providing both domestic and international connectivity for businesses, tourism, and government activities.

With proper management, he argued, the sector could generate substantial financial resources for the country, in addition to supporting affiliated industries.

Unfortunately, he noted, the Nigerian aviation sector is better known for issues such as ageing infrastructure, safety concerns, inadequate regulation, and a lack of sustainable investment. He added that these challenges have persisted over time, reinforcing the need for legislative intervention to reposition the industry.

He stated that the retreat offered a rare opportunity for the National Assembly to redeem itself from widespread accusations of failing to be proactive in its policy advocacy and legislative duties.

According to Ossai, the period of safety reforms and regulatory strengthening (2000–2010), driven largely by a series of fatal air crashes such as the Bellview Airlines and Sosoliso Airlines crashes in 2005, exposed deep-rooted systemic failures. This led to the enactment of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, which aimed to strengthen safety regulations.

He further noted that recent reforms and contemporary challenges in the sector have highlighted more weaknesses than meaningful progress. He added that despite multiple reform efforts, the Nigerian aviation sector continues to struggle with regulatory inefficiencies, infrastructural decay, airline financial instability, and policy inconsistency.

Ossai stressed that to remain competitive and sustainable, the global aviation industry has adopted best practices and emerging trends focused on operational efficiency, safety, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and enhanced customer experience.

He said, “Technological advancement has become a cornerstone of modern aviation, improving operational efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Blockchain Technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been instrumental in this transformation.”

He argued that there is a global push towards achieving carbon-neutral growth and adopting eco-friendly practices in the sector. Additionally, he highlighted that enhancing passenger experience has become central to airline competitiveness, leading to innovations such as biometric technology, contactless travel, and in-flight connectivity.

Ossai maintained that the Nigerian aviation industry has been a key driver of the nation’s economic development, facilitating trade, tourism, and national growth.

However, he pointed out that despite its potential, the industry continues to face significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, financial mismanagement, and regulatory inefficiencies.

He stated that the National Assembly, as Nigeria’s central legislative body, has the constitutional mandate and institutional capacity to influence the aviation sector through policymaking, oversight of aviation agencies, and appropriation of funds for aviation-related projects. However, he regretted that the Assembly’s influence has often been undermined by political interference, resource constraints, and a lack of specialised knowledge in aviation matters.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Abubakar Idris Garba, stated that the retreat was an important step towards building the capacity of members and strengthening their oversight role in the aviation industry.

Represented by his Deputy, Festus Akingbaso, Garba noted that the National Assembly plays a crucial role in shaping a strong aviation framework that meets both national and international standards through its legislative and oversight powers.

By Tony Akowe