Lawmarkers to Probe NCAT over Helicopters’ Sale

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has declared that it will look into the purported sale of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

The Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria purchased two Bell 206L-3 helicopters as public property for N1.2 billion to be used for pilot training. The Committee, in a press release signed by the Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, on Monday, stated that it was made aware of the development through media reports on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Kuye said, “The Sale of the Helicopters under the pretext of underutilization by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping in all sector of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration.

“This is despite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire same and possibly use to address the security challenge facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalization and crude oil theft. The committee equally feels the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country.”

He added that the urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration calls for “suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration.”

The aviation committee chairman added, “ It is only right that the new regime is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there are no hidden agendas.

“Therefore, the House Committee on Public Assets as constituted will investigate the sale of these important training national assets to ensure that due process is followed and that the country is not shortchanged in this deal