A four-man team from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has arrived Nigeria to commence the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), beginning fromMarch 14 to March 25.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)on Sundayin Lagos.

The statement said the auditors would focus on some critical areas during the audit.

It said: “These are: Legislation (LEG), Organisation (ORG), Accident and Incident Investigation (AIG), Air Navigational Services (ANS) and Aerodrome and Ground Aids (AGA).

“The auditors who will be working with their Nigerian counterparts will also visit the NCAA Regional Offices and all the relevant service providers in the aviation industry.”

According to the statement, the team will work in separate groups, based on specific assignments.

The statement further said that at the conclusion of the Audit, there would be a closing meeting where the draft audit result would be vetted.

ICAO is a specialised agency of the UN. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.

Its headquarters is located in Montreal, Canada and it has seven regional offices worldwide.

ICAO’s regional office in Western and Central Africa is in Dakar, Senegal.

The organisation elected a Nigerian, Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, by acclamation, as its Council President in 2013 and his three-year tenure would expire onDec. 31, 2016.

The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its mandate includes flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation.

ICAO defines the protocols for air accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. (NAN)

*AMECHI, PLS USEICAO LOGO.