The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Organisation Safety (BAGASOO) Conference kicked off yesterday in Abuja with a call to harmonise safety regulations among member countries in the Banjul Accord Group.
The member countries include Ghana, Liberia, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, The Gambia and Guinea.
The Executive Director of BAGASOO, Jailza Soraya, during the opening session of the conference, said the body is working towards harmonising regulations in the BAG countries.
She pointed out that the seven BAG states have variations in the safety regulations, which makes it difficult to harmonise safety standards in the BAG states.
The Executive Director highlighted the organisation’s evolution from a visionary idea into a recognised force in aviation safety, citing progress made in harmonised regulatory oversight, training and strategic partnerships.
“Collaboration remains at the heart of everything we do,” she affirmed.
She stated that BAGASOO looks to the future as the conference serves as a platform to consolidate gains, build stronger partnerships and strengthen the collective capacity of member states to meet global aviation standards.
Declaring the conference open, the. Minister, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended BAGASOO for its impactful contributions to aviation safety in the sub-region.
Keyamo noted that BAGASOO has evolved into a model of regional cooperation, strengthening safety oversight, regulatory harmonisation and capacity building across its members.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, described the conference theme, ‘Consolidation on Current Gains for Enhancement of Aviation Safety’ as timely and urgent given growing air traffic, emerging threats and technological advancement.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting BAGASOO’s mission, stating that ‘together, we can build an aviation ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking’.
The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Chairman of BAGASOO Board of Directors, Capt. Chris Najomo, congratulated the organisation for its 15 years of purposeful service.
He applauded BAGASOO’s achievements in audit coordination, inspector training and integration of aviation security within oversight systems.
“This milestone is a testament to visionary leadership and enduring commitment to excellence,” he remarked.
Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Adefunke Adeyemi, also commended the organisation for emerging as a key cornerstone in regional cooperation and capacity development in the West African sub-region.
