The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
(NCAA) has announced that it conducted a random alcohol and drug tests
on licensed technical personnel of two airlines and Air Traffic Control
of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The agency said the objective of the exercise was to ensure safety, and
that it was directed by the Director General, Capt. MuhtarUsman, in
compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
regulatory standards.
The spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye
said the directive duly communicated in an Advisory Circular NCAA – AMS –
004 titled: ‘Drugs and Alcohol Policy for Air Operators Certificate
holders, Air Navigation Service Providers and other aviation
stakeholders,’ issued to the aviation industry on July 1, 2016, by the
authority.
The agency said a total of 87 personnel
from two airlines; Air Peace, Medview Airline and Air Traffic
Controllers (ATCs) of NAMA were tested and they were randomly tested as
they were about to embark on flight operations and air traffic control
duties.
“There were 10 pilots and 19 Cabin crew from Air Peace Ltd while nine pilots and 32 Cabin crew were from MedviewAirlines.
Those tested include 10 pilots and about
19 cabin crew from Air Peace; nine pilots and about 32 cabin crew from
Medview and 16 Air Traffic Controllers from NAMA.
Others were from Air Navigation Service Providers, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), 16 of licensed Air Traffic Controllers and Trainees. 10 Licensed ATC and six Trainees are from the Control Tower and TRACON Centre.
Others were from Air Navigation Service Providers, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), 16 of licensed Air Traffic Controllers and Trainees. 10 Licensed ATC and six Trainees are from the Control Tower and TRACON Centre.
However, out of the 87 personnel tested,
only one crew member tested positive to psychoactive substance,
Tetrahydro – Cannabinol (Marijuana) and was immediately suspended by the
Authority from carrying out further flight operations.
It carried further investigations to ascertain the quantity of the substance in the urine sample of the crew member.
It carried further investigations to ascertain the quantity of the substance in the urine sample of the crew member.
“Quite clearly, the crew member violated
the provisions of Part 2.11.1.7. (a) and Part 8.5.1.5(a) (3) of the
Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015) NCAA has therefore
sanctioned the offending aircrew in accordance with the provisions of
Part 2.11.1.8(f) (i) and Part 2.11.1.7(c) of Nig.CARs 2015.
“The Medical Certificate and License of
the aircrew members has been suspended for 180 days from April 5, 2017.
Accordingly, the respondent shall cease to exercise the privileges of
the license for the period of his suspension,” the agency directed.
In addition, NCAA said the crew member
“shall within seven days of receipt of Letter of Sanction, hand over the
license to the authority’s Director of Licensing (DOL).”
It said the aircrew member “shall undergo a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation for psychoactive substance abuse during the suspension period under the care of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
“At the end, the report of the Consultant Psychiatrist shall be reviewed by the Authority’s Consultant Psychiatrist Adviser. This is to enable NCAA consider possible restoration of the suspended Medical Certificate and License,” NCAA also directed.
It said the aircrew member “shall undergo a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation for psychoactive substance abuse during the suspension period under the care of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
“At the end, the report of the Consultant Psychiatrist shall be reviewed by the Authority’s Consultant Psychiatrist Adviser. This is to enable NCAA consider possible restoration of the suspended Medical Certificate and License,” NCAA also directed.
The regulatory authority noted that the
random drug and alcohol tests for licensed aviation personnel would be
carried out periodically to rid the industry of menace of crew members
and ATCs conducting flight operations under the influence of
psychoactive substance which could jeopardise flight safety.
The exercise was conducted by medical assessors from the Aeromedical Department of the NCAA.
The exercise was conducted by medical assessors from the Aeromedical Department of the NCAA.
LAGOS—A near tsunami
happened in MTN Nigeria, on Friday, as 200 long serving staff, walked
out of the company’s doors in what is described as voluntary severance
scheme, VSS.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
LAGOS—A near tsunami
happened in MTN Nigeria, on Friday, as 200 long serving staff, walked
out of the company’s doors in what is described as voluntary severance
scheme, VSS.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
LAGOS—A near tsunami
happened in MTN Nigeria, on Friday, as 200 long serving staff, walked
out of the company’s doors in what is described as voluntary severance
scheme, VSS.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/mtn-sacks-80-workers-200-resign/
Comments
Post a Comment