SLCAA Hosts Second ICAO ROST Assistance Mission Team
11th October 2022
SLCAA Training Hall – Lungi
Ahead of the 2023 Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA), the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has hosted the second Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) Assistance Mission provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Western and Central Africa Regional Office (WACAF).
It could be recalled that the SLCAA in July 2022 hosted the first ROST Assistance Mission, which reviewed the 2020 edition of the USOAP-CMA Protocol Questions (PQs), gathered evidences concerning the current level of the State’s oversight capability, assisted the State in preparation for the USAOP-CMA Audit in May 2023, determined the progress in the State PQs self-assessment implementations, and updated the ICAO Plan of Action accepted by Sierra Leone, in the following audit areas: Primary Aviation Legislation and Civil Aviation Regulations (LEG), Civil Aviation Organization (ORG), Personnel Licensing (PEL), Aircraft Operations (OPS) and Airworthiness of Aircraft (AIR).
The SLCAA Director-General, Dr Moses Tiffa Baio, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sierra Leone, welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to WACAF for their continued support to Sierra Leone.
“It’s gladding’s my heart to receive the WACAF Team, conducting ROST Assistance Mission to Sierra Leone, particularly when we are preparing for our USOAP in May 2023. Without their support we would not have been able to unleased our potential within the sub-region. Let me again state that the SLCAA will continue to make WACAF very proud”, Dr Baio said.
Dr Baio further assured the ROST team of the SLCAA’s support in implementing all recommendations while hoping for a fruitful deliberation throughout the mission.
Making a statement on behalf of WACAF, the Deputy Regional Director, Nika M. Manzi maintained that in accordance with their terms of reference, the ROST team is expected to provide appropriate support to Sierra Leone in its efforts to improve on the safety oversight system.
“Since our arrival in Sierra Leone, we have seen the dedication and commitment from the SLCAA staff. The team will jointly analyse the recommendations from the last USOAP-CMA activity and previous assistance mission, including the industry visit”, he underscored.
He thanked the SLCAA for accepting WACAF to conduct the ROST Assistance Mission and requested the cooperation and the active participation of all technical personnel for a successful conduct of the mission.
Presenting the work programme for adoption, the ICAO Regional Officer/Communication Navigation and Surveillance, Francois X. Salambanga, revealed that the five-day Assistance Mission to Sierra Leone will cover the following areas: Air Navigation Services (ANS), Aerodrome and Ground Aids (AGA) and Accident and Incident Investigation (AIG).
“The mission’s objective is to assist Sierra Leone in improving its safety oversight systems through the review of the implementation of the USOAP-CMA Corrective Action Plan and the review of the safety oversight activities conducted by the States (certification, licensing and approvals as well as surveillance activities)”, he disclosed.
Sierra Leone was first audited in 2006. Since then, three other USOAP-CMA activities have been conducted, the latest was in 2015.
The current level of Effective Implementation for Sierra Leone is 16.03%, which is below the Regional and Global average of 55.3% and 67.5%.
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