Chinedu Eze
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that it is collaborating with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other industry stakeholders to hold a one-day stakeholders’ meeting to articulate the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in Nigeria’s airspace.
According to a statement from NCAA, the meeting is scheduled to take place on November 21, 2016 at the Galaxy Hall of the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja and it is a mandatory exercise for all stakeholders in the interest of safer skies.
“There has been lots of interest shown for the civil use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) otherwise known as drones in the country, though, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as far as its certification and operations are concerned.
“However the NCAA has put in place the Regulations/Advisory Circular for certification and operation for the use of civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the Nigerian Airspace, through (Nig CARs Part 8.8.1.33) and implementing Standards,” the statement signed by the agency’s spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, said.
NCAA said due to the importance attached to this meeting, participants would be drawn from the military, Federal Ministry of Aviation and its parastatals/agencies, flying clubs, tour operators, media practitioners (Aviation Press Corps), neighbouring African countries, the film making industry (Nollywood), National Assembly (Aviation Committees) and sports organisations.
“Discussions will be centred around safety implications, risk assessment, oversight, regulations and certification. Since the civil operation of RPA/UAV will require approval/permit from the NCAA and the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), the need for the stakeholders meeting has become very necessary,” the statement added.
