NSIB, Reps vow to unravel cause of helicopter crash

The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Alex Badeh, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Abiodun Akinlade, have pledged to investigate thoroughly the recent helicopter crash in Rivers State.

This commitment was outlined in a statement by NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, on Saturday, following the visit of the agency’s DG and the lawmaker to the crash site of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter on Friday.

Both officials reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a transparent and thorough inquiry into the accident to improve transport safety in Nigeria.

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, while transporting eight persons, among which were six staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

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 of the unfortunate incident.

According to the statement, the officials were briefed on recovery progress, as well as investigative procedures 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 said.

The lawmaker also echoed the government’s commitment to supporting the recovery effort and NSIB’s mission to ensure that the investigative findings contribute to safety reform.

He also expressed condolences to the families affected, emphasising the government’s duty to prioritise the welfare of all citizens who depend on safe transportation:

He noted, “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.”