25 Sep 2022

The transport industry is set for a change owing to plans to introduce an entity for investigating all modes of transport accidents and incidents.

This came to light during stakeholder consultation workshop on the draft Multimodal Investigation Act, which seeks to enable the Directorate of Accident Investigations (DAI) to broaden its scope from aircraft investigations to include rail, road and water accidents and incidents.

DAI Director, Mr Olefile Moakofi explained in an interview on the sidelines of the stakeholder workshop on Thursday that the new entity, which would be led by a director general would significantly improve transport safety He said DAI had been doing only air accidents and incidents investigations, but the scope would be broadened under the new entity.

 He explained that the decision to come up with a multimodal investigations entity came during the rationalisation of the machinery in 2019, adding that the new entity was necessary for the purpose of investigations and to avoid future accidents. Mr Moakofi said the more efficient investigation of accidents undertaken by any nation, the more the findings were likely to come up with positive safety recommendations, which would then help the country to have a good safety record.

“Once you have a good safety record, it encourages international trade in the sense that international tourists and investors will be comfortable flying into your country,” he said.

Mr Moakofi added that effective investigations would make tourists and investors feel comfortable using the country’s transport system.

Also, he explained that the plan to bring investigations under one roof was not a new phenomenon in the world, citing the United Nations through its National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Regarding investigations of road transport accidents, he explained that under the draft law, the police would continue to play a role in investigating road accidents while the multimodal entity would deal with incidents and occurrences of high magnitude.

 In addition, he said the Department of Road Transport and Safety would then become the transport industry regulator.

 The purpose of the stakeholder engagement workshop was to give all an opportunity to appreciate, critique and make input on the draft law before it was passed to the Attorney General Chambers for input. Ends