The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) is seeking a stronger financial base to improve aviation safety in the West African region.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja while declaring BAGASOO’s 29th Board meeting open, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, who is also the Chairman of the Group, said funding, expectedly, is a knotty issue that affects the sustainability of BAGASOO.
“Member States’ contributions remain the overwhelming source of BAGASOO’s funds. Therefore, while I have urged BAGASOO’s Technical Committee of Finance & Administration to explore additional revenue sources, we as Member States should endeavour to remit our annual contributions as and when due.
“We must not allow BAGASOO to suffer as it remains our pride and heritage as our lone Regional Aviation Safety Oversight Organization in the West African sub-region.”
He explained that about three (3) technical committee reports will be reviewed at the meeting, namely the Technical Committee on Training, Technical Committee on Safety, and Technical Committee on Finance & Administration.
“It is expected that we can ratify strategic plans that would result in tangible accomplishments in line with the mandate of these committees. They must serve as a roadmap characterised by clear goals, KPIs, and regional targets and benchmarks that drive greater progress, effectiveness, and upward trajectory of BAGASOO.
“My fellow Directors General, the decisions we will be taking over the next two days will undoubtedly shape BAGASOO’s future. They will have a significant impact on the direction this organization is going to go, and I have never been prouder to have such an array of distinguished ladies and gentlemen as colleagues to partner with on this Board,” Najomo stated.
In her opening address, the Executive Director of BAGASOO, Jailza Soraya Rodrigues Silva, stated that the financial stability of BAGASOO is directly dependent on the timely and full payment of contributions by member states.
“These payments are essential in sustaining our operations, implementing critical programmes, and fulfilling our mandate effectively.”
She commended member states for their contribution towards the sustainability of BAGASOO, noting that, “I want to express my gratitude to the states that have been consistent in their financial obligations.
“Your commitment reflects a strong sense of responsibility and an understanding of the pivotal role BAGASOO plays in regional aviation safety oversight systems.
“However, I also urge member states with outstanding contributions to pay their commitments, as financial delays pose significant challenges to our ability to operate efficiently,” Silva stated.
On his part, the Director General of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, H.E. Fansu Bojang, commended member states, particularly other Heads of Civil Aviation Authorities present at the meeting, for their commitment towards the sustainability of BAGASOO.
BAGASOO was established pursuant to the BAGASOO Agreement signed on 30 June 2009 by the Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation of member states.
It is governed by a board of directors consisting of the Directors General of the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) of the member states, with the Executive Director as a member and secretary.
The structure of BAGASOO comprises Administration, Legal, Technical Training & Support, and experts in different aviation specialty areas such as Flight Operations, Personnel Licensing, Airworthiness, Air Navigation Service, and Aerodrome.
Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) is the BAG Regional Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO), which metamorphosed from the Cooperative Development of Operational and Continuing Airworthiness Program (COSCAP) project of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in collaboration with BAG.
The primary objective of COSCAP-BAG was to strengthen the safety oversight capabilities of the BAG Member States and enhance the safety of air transport operations within the BAG sub-region by pooling resources.
BAGASOO aims to promote the safe, efficient use and development of civil aviation within and outside BAG Member States.
The Banjul Accord Group currently has seven (7) member states: Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
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