Two weeks after rescinding its earlier decision for embattled minister of aviation Stella Oduah to appear before the Senate, the Committee on Aviation is yet to invite the minister.
In a move seen by many to give the minister a soft landing, the Senate rescinded its earlier decision for the minister and other heads of aviation agencies to appear before the upper house to explain the incidence of air crashes in the country.
LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has recommended the removal of Oduah for “violating the law” by approving expenditure above the ministerial threshold of N100 million.
The Senate, a fortnight ago, suspended its first scheduled meeting with Oduah due to the absence of Senate president David Mark. The Senate leader, Victor Ndoma - Egba (SAN), had informed lawmakers that the Senate president had signified his intention to “personally” preside over the Senate session with Oduah, a request that was speedily granted by senators at the plenary presided over by deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma (Imo, PDP) also told Senate correspondents that the lawmakers had nothing to hide and that Oduah would appear before the committee.
Mark was to lead the federal government delegation to the United Arab Emirates for the finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup between Nigeria and Mexico last Thursday.
But when Mark presided over the the Senate proceedings on Nov. 14, the Senate president, before ruling on the motion to rescind the aviation minister’s summons, asked senators at plenary, “Any comment from anybody?” A deafening silence followed. No senator stood up to talk for or against the decision to rescind the aviation minister’s summons
The aviation minister is under fire for the controversial purchase of two BMW 760Li Series bullet-proof cars for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The controversial armoured cars cost a whopping N255 million.
Again, the aviation minister has been criticised for denying additional landing rights to some international airlines to commence both cargo and passenger flights to Kano and Abuja, apart from Lagos where they now operate.
NLC wants minister to step aside
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the federal government’s fight against corruption and its attitude towards the minister of aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, saying the action of the government does not indicate it is serious about winning the war against corruption.
Speaking at this year’s annual Harmattan school in Kaduna, NLC president Comrade Abdulwahed Omar said it is lamentable that despite the anti-corruption mantra of the current administration, the menace seems to be on the rise.
Omar also said the president’s refusal to ask Oduah to step down to ensure a proper investigation is carried out on the controversial purchase of two bulletproof cars was an indication of the government’s non-seriousness in the anti-corruption crusade. “Does it mean that corruption is officially recognised in Nigeria?” he queried. “What is highly lamentable is that rather than try to amend, the issue of corruption is getting worse by the day. Despite all that is being said, nothing has changed. What we expect is that the president should have asked Oduah to step aside.
“We are telling the government that the way it is handling corruption issue is not the best. It is at best making the common man angrier. Because if it is clear that somebody has corruptly enriched himself or herself and that government is in the best position to ensure that that person is prosecuted, and nothing is happening, people will become angrier. And if you continue with impunity, definitely, the consequence can be very dire because, by the time citizens begin to react, it might become uncontrollable.
“I am jittery that, should we continue like this, everything has a limit. I am not inciting anybody. But we can’t continue with impunity forever.”
He said the Harmattan school is to train workers and educate them on the necessary skills required to make them better employees and boost the Nigerian workforce.
Speaking on the protracted ASUU strike, Omar said the striking lecturers have already indicated that they are going to call off the strike.
“But they also want to meet with Mr President behind closed-doors, perhaps to intimate him with one or two other issues. The bottom line is that ASUU even in the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has voted in favour of calling off the strike. I want to congratulate them on that decision,” he said.
Airworthiness: NCAA begins audit of Dana Air
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has begun the audit of Dana Air’s operations.
This is sequel to the October 6, 2013, directive from the regulatory authority to the airline to immediately suspend its flight operations to allow for an operational audit.
The development is contained in a statement issued by the airline yesterday in Lagos. According to the statement, Dana Air said that it would continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA and looks forward to resuming full operations.
It further disclosed that it was committed to its proposed fleet renewal plans, stating that arrangements have been concluded to take delivery of additional aircraft to boost the fleet in readiness for enhanced customer and guest satisfaction, safety and choice in routes and travel times adding that it was also investing in requisite staff trainings in strict adherence to NCAR, ICAO and IATA standards.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is still auditing us intensively and we are awaiting now their final consideration, closure of the audit, and our resumption of flight operations.
“At Dana Air, the safety of our guests and crew is always a priority and we pledge to continue to offer our full cooperation to the NCAA and all other relevant agencies in ensuring safer skies as we strive to consistently deliver world-class air transport services as well as comfort to our esteemed guests,” read a statement from the airline.
The airline recently disclosed that it has lost over N18billion following the suspension of its operations in compliance with NCAA’s directives in 2012, and this year since its MD 83 aircraft crashed in IjuIshaga area of Lagos on June 3, 2012, killing all 153 passengers and crew on board.
Meanwhile, the airline has appointed Mr. Yvan Drewinsky, as its Chief Operating Officer. Drewinsky, who comes on board with over 30 years global aviation experience, has the mandate of the board to further sustain standards and quality of service within the airline.
Source: Leadership
October 19, 2013, 10:07:39 AM