The House of Representatives, in a bid to address concerns over the sale of two helicopters belonging to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), has pledged to recover the aircraft, which were reportedly sold to private individuals.
During an investigative hearing in Abuja, Rep. Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, expressed alarm over the sale of the helicopters, highlighting the lack of training aircraft left for the college.
The committee scrutinized the sales process, questioning the denial of purchase opportunities to security agencies such as the Nigerian Air Force, Navy, and Police, despite their expressed interest.
Acting Rector Shaka Imalighwe, while acknowledging his tenure’s start after the sale, affirmed that the helicopters were operational and maintained by aviation authorities before being sold.
Despite appeals for documentation regarding the sale’s approval and advertising, NCAT has yet to provide necessary documents to the committee.
The lawmakers criticized NCAT’s use of an unlicensed auctioneer and summoned past and current Aviation Ministers, the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, and former and current NCAT Rectors for the next hearing.
