The House of Representatives committee set up to investigate
the circumstances surrounding the grounding of an aircraft belonging to
the Rivers State government has indicted the aviation ministry and
Caverton helicopters.
The report
which is yet to be discussed by lawmakers states that the behaviour of
officials of Caverton helicopter lends credence to the assertion that it
was pressurised to deny a relationship with the Rivers state
government.
The report describe as grossly unprofessional the refusal by the
aviation authorities to acknowledge that the aircraft belongs to the
rivers state government.
A copy of the report sighted by Channels Television questioned the
reason for grounding the aircraft, insisting that the claim by the
National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the ministry of aviation
that the ownership of the aircraft is unclear is ‘in bad faith and
grossly unprofessional”.
The report also indicts the aviation agent, Caverton helicopters for
providing false documents to the aviation authorities which led to the
grounding of the aircraft and recommends that the Attorney-General of
the Federation should prosecute the agent.
During investigations, lawmakers ordered the list of all private jets
and owners and documentations to be submitted by the Ministry of
Aviation to enable the committees examine whether the Rivers State
treatment was any different, particularly as it regards ownership and
expiration of license.
The committees said ministry and its departments blatantly refused to
send in the required materials despite assuring to do same.
“This attitude may be interpreted as an attempt to hide the suspected
fact that many aircraft air being operated with expired permits or
licenses,” a likelihood which would nullify one of the government’s
allegations that Rivers state operated the aircraft on an expired
permit.
The report which is yet to be considered by lawmakers may be amended before it is passed and endorsed by the house.
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