THE signing of the framework agreement on aviation regulatory advisory services between the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Civil Aviation Authority International (CAAi) Limited, United Kingdom, will amongst all generate job opportunities for locals.
The contract was officially inked between the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Communications Brunei Darussalam, on behalf of His Majesty’s government and CAAi Ltd, UK yesterday at the Indera Samudera Hall of The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong.
The guest of honour was Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar.
Signing the framework agreement on behalf of His Majesty’s government was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Awg Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof while CAAi, UK, was represented by its Managing Director Richard Ward.
Exchange of signed documents between Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, and Richard Ward, Managing Di-rector of CAAI
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Richard Ward, Managing Director of CAAI, United Kingdom, speaking at the event yesterday
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Haji Abdul Karim bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Acting Director of Civil Aviation
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A section of attendees at the event yesterday. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Yesterday’s event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by a welcoming note by Acting Director of DCA, Haji Abdul Karim bin Haji Abdul Wahab.
The Acting Director said that the implementation of the project serves as one of the department’s objectives in making DCA as an international civil aviation enforcement organisation to meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In achieving this, DCA has appointed CAAi Ltd, UK as the consultant through the project with the implementation period of 30 months to tackle matters identified in the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) 2007 and ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) 2010.
The implementation of the consultation project contains 16 workstreams, which amongst all includes reviewing current aviation legislation and providing international best practice recommendations. It will also include the establishment of a safety oversight organisational structure to meet international standards and the provision of technical procedures manuals in line with ICAO standards.
Also included in the scope of work of the B$12 million project are the development of a scheme of charges, air accident investigation training, air navigation services, flight operations, personnel licensing, airworthiness and aerodrome.
He added that with the implementation of the project, DCA will be able to establish a comprehensive aviation safety oversight system and realise the department’s objective in attaining the highest standards of aviation safety and security in compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices, taking into account the country’s development in the aviation industry.
The department will also be assisted through the ICAO COSCAP Programme by using the ICAO service in monitoring the effectiveness and transparency of advisory service throughout the implementation of the project.
Meanwhile in a brief interview with the Acting Director, he noted that when it comes to aviation security, CAAi has been helping more than 140 countries worldwide and their engagement with DCA will assist the department in improving its standard and the few areas that have been identified for improvements.
On this note, he highlighted that Brunei International Airport security is good but as time goes by there is a need for an improvement on safety, security and all other aspects with training and how things should be done, which is where CAAi comes in to assist DCA.
At the same time, once the project identifies the recommended organisation structure and number of personnel (human resources) required, this will then create job opportunities for locals.
Richard Ward who noted that there is tremendous potential here to develop aviation opportunities. He also pointed out that staff across the DCA will be trained on new procedures and new standards as well as implementation of new regulations.
The training will provide the capabilities of the safety regulators to be able to cope with the challenges that will come in the future as they engaged in related aviation market with low cost operators and new emerging aviation services.
Also present at yesterday’s signing were British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, David Ian Campbell; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Awg Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos and senior officers from the Ministry of Communications and DCA.
