CRASH, CRASH AND MORE CRASH.
A minute silence in memory of the departed
souls, one apiece.
While observing that in memory of the over 150 victims of the
unfortunate crash of Dana Airways craft at Lagos, its natural to consider the
spate of this disasters in Nigeria in the last decade. Obviously, the rot that
has affected all other aspects of Nigerian state got to our airways too. While
its a long known fact in that most Nigerian roads are highway to hereafter, the
airways that has been the alternative to those that can afford it is gaining
the same notoriety. The chance that you will arrive your destination in any
journey in Nigeria, by any means is getting slimmer. Come to think of the multiple
crashes that happened along the Lagos-Ibadan highway, a predecessor to the
crash, the wise option might be to stay glued wherever you are. Except you have
Boko haram threatening you.
Nigeria’s first major air mishap occurred in November
1969,the Dana Air mishaps makes it over 50 air mishaps to have occurred in
Nigeria, in less than 50 years. The high rate of air mishap is not limited to
Nigeria, but Africa in general. While Africa generates less than 5% of the all flights world wide, its accounts for over
30% of all mishaps! Africans do have something with always being high in
statistics for the wrong reasons. This does not however exonerate, completely,
both the government and operators of this airlines. Both have failed, with
consequences.
In less than 10 years, Nigeria has recorded five different
air mishaps with the least accounting for over 900 deaths (official figure). A
total of all the deaths resulting from these crashes is alarming; over 700
people have died from air crash in this country in less than 10 years. When was
the last air crash in Ghana before the June 2nd crash of a Nigerian cargo
plane? Yes, a Nigerian cargo plane! The problems that has led to these high
incidents death amassing incidents has been a result of our governments lackadaisical
attitude to everything, and the operators insolence to safety .
According to an investigative report into the Bellview air crash at Ifo in 2005, the company hired the captain, a former pilot after he
had been working on a diary farm for 14 years and had been previously shot in
the head by robbers. He captained 117 people to there grave. Where were the
authorities that should checked his qualifications? Lets not of course forget
that the aircraft was Tokunbo and aged about 24 years, more than half the age
of the country then!
The Sosoliso crash followed the Bellview some weeks later.
The aircraft itself was 32 years old rickety that was sold to them by a foreign
airliner after it could no longer meet European standard due to loud noise
level. Nigeria obviously has no rule from stopping airliners from flying
coffins and caskets around. The crash was blamed on the inability of the pilot
to make out the unlit runway at night due to bad weather condition. Yes, the
runway was unlit, as crucial as it was to have light there. Is there anywhere
in Nigeria that has light when it needs it? I doubt. The aircraft struck ground
at about 70 meters left of the runway and the rest is history. 107 souls were
laid to rest.
The ADC crash of 2006 ended over 90 lives. The most
disturbing fact is that the plane crashed after 76 seconds, yes, seconds of
being airborne. The pilots have been variously criticized for some of there
actions, however the maintenance crew of the
craft deserve more than they got. This crash made it the 11th Nigeria
had experienced between 1995 and 2006.
The most shameful act of the period was however that
perpetuated by Obasanjo following the various mishaps. While Babalola
Aborishade who was the then minister in charge of aviation did not think it
worthy to throw in the towel, Obasanjo did not find it worthy to sack him. He
simply transferred him to another portfolio following the widespred protest,
nationwide. Our various regulatory agencies have perfected the act of blame
shifting, they will always blame another.
Yet another issue the Sosoliso incident drew our attention to
is the poor state of our rescue facilities.
While many passengers survived the actual crash of Sosoliso, they later
burnt to death in the inferno that engulfed the craft. The airport had one fire
truck and no ambulance, seriously? So if you are involved in a crash, the
probability that help will get to you is anything but encouraging, trust Naija
officials.
While we await the result of yet another investigative committee, one cant but wonder when the nation will address the pyramid of
problems facing the aviation industry which includes obsolete communication
device, epileptic radar system, over age aircraft, poor maintenance, pilots
with doubt able qualifications, poor search and rescue efforts amidst others.
Our government has perfected the art of doling out
condolence, en masse. How many more days of flying flag at half mast and
mourning before we learn our lessons? However the greater problem lies in which
mode of transport is safe in Nigeria after you rule out air and road? Don't even
dare think of water, you wont be rescued in one year!
My condolence goes to all the family members of the deceased.
May there soul rest in harmonious peace. Don't forget the minute silence is one
apiece, you should be quiet for over 150 minutes.