The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has indicate intention to investigate the sale of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria.
The Committee in a press statement signed by the Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye on Monday disclosed that its attention was drawn to the development through media reports on Sunday, July 30, 2023, on the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters which were public assets acquired for training pilots by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria for N1.2 billion.
Kuye said: “The Sale of the Helicopters under the pretext of under utilization 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 challenges 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 disclosed that: “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”.
Recall that NCAT, Zaria sold two of its helicopters for N1.2 billion because they were under utilised.
The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Capt. Alkali Modibbo told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the two Bell 206B – III model helicopters were disposed after satisfying all due diligence.
Modibbo explained that a Federal Government licenced auctioneer, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited was appointed to dispose the affected helicopters after the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively.
