By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr. and Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and Aerospace Technology, have reaffirmed their commitment to uncover the actual cause of the recent air mishap in Rivers State.
Both officials made this promise when they visited the accident site of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, to assess the level of progress of recovery as well as investigation on Saturday.
They stressed that the inquiry into the accident would be transparent and holistic to forestall possible recurrence of such incidents in the future, and improve transport safety in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, while transporting eight individuals.
Since the accident, the NSIB, with support from local and international partners, has coordinated a search and recovery mission to locate the wreckage and examine the circumstances responsible for the tragic event.
During the visit, Captain Badeh Jr. and Hon. Akinlade received updates from the multidisciplinary search and recovery team.
The officials were also briefed on recovery progress, as well as investigative procedures which entail examining environmental factors, safety protocols, and technical variables.
Badeh reaffirmed NSIB’s dedication to transparency, underscoring the Bureau’s role in conducting an objective investigation.
“We are committed to uncovering the facts of this tragic incident. Our team is deploying the highest standards to ensure we bring clarity to the families affected, while enhancing safety measures that will benefit all Nigerians.
“Transparency and accountability guide this process as we work to bring closure to those impacted, and provide actionable recommendations to improve aviation safety,” Badeh was quoted in a statement by the Bureau’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.
On his part, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade echoed the government’s commitment to supporting the recovery effort and NSIB’s mission, ensuring that the investigative findings contribute to safety reform.
He expressed condolences to the families affected, saying government’s duty is to prioritize the welfare of all citizens who depend on safe transportation:
“This tragedy affects us all, and our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones. The safety of our citizens and the integrity of our transport system are priorities for the National Assembly. We will ensure that insights and lessons from this investigation contribute to Nigeria’s aviation safety policies and broader transport safety initiatives.”
The wreckage of the helicopter was found last night after days of intense and painstaking search that took days.
