New Law Sets Standards, Penalties

Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo signed a new law defining offenses and setting penalties for safety violations last Wednesday.

The nation has experienced three deadly aviation crashes in the last year killing hundreds.

Nigeria's new law also sets a compensation schedule for victims and limits ministerial power during an emergency. This last is an effort to boost the regulatory powers of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority -- especially during investigations.

The acting head of the Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative Efanga Offiong told the Associated Press, "This is a step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done. We need professionals in charge, and not politicians." The initiative is an industry pressure group pushing for higher safety standards in the country.

The law was brought under consideration after the second of two major crashes last year. The legislature has kicked it around since March, but proponents placed it on the fast track after the latest crash killed 96 people late last month.

Offiong alleges government interference in those crash investigations allowed some airlines to skimp on safety requirements. Political friends of the regime where allowed to keep their licenses while its enemies' were revoked.

FMI: www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/