By Cosmas Okereafor
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), today announced that it has begun implementation of Electronic Master Plan for Inspections and Certification (EMPIC), system on personnel licensing and Medical Certification.The EMPIC software system would enhance the aviation regulatory body in its oversight and regulations in the aviation industry, aswell provide a centralized platform for the regulators to streamline and automate various processes in relation to inspections and certifications.It would also fast track and shorten the time pilots and other aviation practitioners would require to renew their licenses, and medical certificates.Capt Chris Najomo, the Director General of the NCAA in his opening speech at the Authority’s Annex office in Lagos stated that, this development aligns with the international standard practice and international Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO), Annex 1 requirements for personnel licencing, global best practices in medical certifications, data protection and cybersecurity principles and also modern CAA digital governance standard.
He also stressed that, this initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s standing within the global aviation community and enhances also international confidence in NCAA secured credentials.In the words of the NCAA boss, ” Today’s event is specifically on the implementation of EMPIC Personnel Licensing ( PEL) and Medical Certification (MED) environment, and our GO-Live sequencing. Today marks a defining milestone in the modernization of aviation regulatory oversight in Nigeria by strengthening the regulatory backbone of our aviation industry.” This is the second stakeholder engagement, designed to further ensure industry -wide alignment, readiness, and shared ownership of the EMPIC PEL/ MED digital transformation initiative”.The NCAA helmsman furthet stressed that civil aviation regulation squarely rest on safety, security l, integrity and operability adding that, in a modern aviation ecosystem, these pillars must be adhered to and supported strictly.On the side line, Capt Najomo urged Nigerians to support the airlines in anyway they could, pointing that, the aviation industry is in the right trajectory, and needs every support it can get to function optimally for the common good.
