The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its West African counterpart, Benin Republic on Aeronautical Search and Rescue (S&R).

In a statement, Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Musa Nuhu, the who signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria on Thursday in Cotonou, Benin Republic, said that this relationship would further enhance air safety operations in the region, especially between the two countries.

Captain Nuhu stated that the partnership on air safety between the two countries was long overdue, adding that Nigeria would also go further by signing such an agreement with its other neighbouring African countries.

Going forward, the DGCA informed that the country would sign a similar agreement with Togo and Tchad on Friday, while Cameroon would follow shortly.

In his comment, Director-General, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), Benin Republic, Mr. Karl Legba, who also signed the Mou on behalf of his country, lauded the Nigerian Government for always playing leadership role in civil aviation in the region and the continent as a whole.

“Nigeria is keen on improving air safety in the West African region. Apart from the region, we also want to ensure that African airspace is safe at all times. We need to consistently improve our relationships on the continent, starting from the region.

“Nigeria also intends to sign the same aeronautical agreement on Search and Rescue with other neighbouring African countries.

The statement also announced that, Nigeria is also considering signing a bilateral technical agreement between it and South Africa.

The meeting between the two countries’ Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs), happened on the sidelines of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), which comprised the continent’s CAAs Directors-General meeting in Dakar, Senegal still ongoing.