A six-member delegation from The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) has successfully completed a two-week assistance mission to Liberia, with the goal of assisting the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) in raising its current level of Effective Implementations from 18.4 percent by concentrating on the first five critical elements of a state safety oversight system in the aviation industry.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the critical elements of a safety oversight system cover the entire spectrum of civil aviation activities, including aerodromes, air traffic control, communications, personnel licensing, flight operations, aircraft airworthiness, accident/incident investigation, and air transport of dangerous goods.

During the team's trip to Liberia, they assisted the technical team at the LCAA in reviewing the first five of the eight important elements to guarantee that Liberia meets the requirements set by ICAO and that Liberia is well prepared for the upcoming safety audits to be conducted by ICAO in April,2022.

Speaking at the conclusion of the two-week mission on Friday, March 11, 2022, Madam Jailza Silva, regional Technical Coordinator for Airworthiness, stated that, while Liberia strives to meet the full compliance of the standards contained in the safety manuals and procedures set by ICAO, there is still a need for Liberia to work harder in the areas of aviation security legislation, security programs and regulations and safety among others.

Despite the fact that these difficulties are linked to concerns of resources and political will, Madam Silva believes that all parties involved in the business can come together to fix the gaps found during their tour.

Mr. Jacob Idaewor, Regional Technical Coordinator for Aerodromes, spoke earlier during the feedback session with the LCAA's technical and administrative team, praising the LCAA's efforts and support for calling on BAGASOO to assist the LCAA as the institutions prepared to undergo international aviation audits.

Mr. Idaewor believes the LCAA's decision is a step in the right direction and demonstrates how essential the LCAA considers the matter of passing the pending audit by ICAO, adding that his team would continue to assist the LCAA in all technical aspects.

In response, Chief Moses Y. Kollie, Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), thanked BAGASOO for their good ongoing partnership and technical help, which he believes is clearly preparing the LCAA for the next ICAO audit.

He also promised the delegation that, with the Joint Technical Team's commitment and focus on the forthcoming ICAO Audit, Liberia will perform better and have a stronger success story than in prior ICAO Audits.

Director Kollie stated that the LCAA will thoroughly review and implement the numerous recommendations emerging from the delegation's findings in order to strengthen the LCAA's status as an Aviation Sector Regulator in all aspects of concern.

"We eagerly await your return to Liberia in the first week of April 2022 to complete the necessary documentation before the ICAO Audit Team arrives for the Audit between the 17th and 3rd of May 2022." The team was alerted by DG Kollie.

The LCAA boss also praised the LCAA's Joint Technical Team for the intensive two-week working session, which he personally considers to be National Service to the Nation, and urged the team to remain committed until Liberia achieves success in strengthening the aviation industry.