The Senate yesterday ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
to recover its N35.5 billion intervention fund disbursed to Air Nigeria, owned
by a business mogul, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.
to recover its N35.5 billion intervention fund disbursed to Air Nigeria, owned
by a business mogul, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.
The Senate had at its plenary yesterday accused Ibrahim of
diverting the fund to finance other concerns other than its original mandate.
diverting the fund to finance other concerns other than its original mandate.
These were fallouts of the Senate adoption of the probe report
of a joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, carried
out on the fatal air crash involving Dana Airline on June 3, 2012.
of a joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, carried
out on the fatal air crash involving Dana Airline on June 3, 2012.
The probe report earlier adopted by the House of Representatives
Committee on Aviation also recommended the removal of the Director-General,
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren over “professional
negligence and incompetence” resulting in the fatal Dana plane crash that
claimed 153 lives of passengers on a scheduled trip from Abuja to Lagos.
The Senate report also directed that Dana’s current Air
Operating Certificate (AOC) should be revoked on the ground that it was not
issued in compliance with NCAA’s Civil Regulations Guideline 2009.
Operating Certificate (AOC) should be revoked on the ground that it was not
issued in compliance with NCAA’s Civil Regulations Guideline 2009.
The report recommended that NCAA inspector, Engineer Suleiman
Akwuh who did pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana Aircraft without
prerequisite professional qualification should be dismissed from service. Also,
that Demuren who approved and deployed the officer should be sanctioned for
professional negligence. The report reads in part, “(a) NCAA under the
leadership of the current Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren brought in MD83
to operate in Nigeria even when there is no licensed engineer rated on the
aircraft.
Akwuh who did pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana Aircraft without
prerequisite professional qualification should be dismissed from service. Also,
that Demuren who approved and deployed the officer should be sanctioned for
professional negligence. The report reads in part, “(a) NCAA under the
leadership of the current Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren brought in MD83
to operate in Nigeria even when there is no licensed engineer rated on the
aircraft.
(b) For the period under review Dana operated 14 air returns
caused by system failure which is a sufficient indication of imminent danger.
caused by system failure which is a sufficient indication of imminent danger.
(c) Up to the time of this report, NCAA is still without any
licensed engineer type-rated on MD83 yet it is going ahead with technical audit
on Dana operations with a view to restore its license. This constitutes
negligence.
licensed engineer type-rated on MD83 yet it is going ahead with technical audit
on Dana operations with a view to restore its license. This constitutes
negligence.
(d) The tenure of the current Director General of NCAA has
expired 3 months before Dana crash occurred on 3rd June, 2012.”
expired 3 months before Dana crash occurred on 3rd June, 2012.”
The report recommended that the staff strength of NCAA should be
totally overhauled with a view to inject technically and professional qualified
personnel to enhance its regulatory role in line with the international best
practices.
totally overhauled with a view to inject technically and professional qualified
personnel to enhance its regulatory role in line with the international best
practices.
Tuesday’s development comes after the Senate had come under fire
from select quarters over fears that it might have compromised in its probe.
from select quarters over fears that it might have compromised in its probe.
In one contribution at Tuesday’ plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi
(Bauchi/PDP), said the recommendations of the committee answered “our critics
that the parliament has compromised its functions,” adding that “the Senate
must follow up and ensure the recommendations are implemented by the executive”.
(Bauchi/PDP), said the recommendations of the committee answered “our critics
that the parliament has compromised its functions,” adding that “the Senate
must follow up and ensure the recommendations are implemented by the executive”.
Commenting on Senator Victor Lar, (Plateau/PDP) on Demuren said,
“It is a shame to this country. He must not only be removed but prosecuted for
a negligence of duty.”
“It is a shame to this country. He must not only be removed but prosecuted for
a negligence of duty.”
Senator Ali Ndume, (Borno/PDP), regretted that Dana was allowed
to fly when investigation was still ongoing.
to fly when investigation was still ongoing.
Source: Leadership
