The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has announced its intent to launch an investigation into the reported sale of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
The committee’s chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, issued a press statement expressing concern over media reports about the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters, which were originally acquired as public assets for pilot training purposes, for the sum of N1.2 billion.
The committee raised questions about the legitimacy of the sale, pointing out that it was done under the pretext of underutilization by the college’s authorities in March 2023….CONTINUE READING
Moreover, the committee noted that such asset stripping appeared to be a troubling trend across various sectors of the economy, particularly towards the end of the previous administration.
Of particular concern to the committee was the fact that the Nigerian Navy had expressed interest in acquiring the helicopters to address security challenges related to oil pipeline vandalization and crude oil theft.
Additionally, the committee believed that the assets could have been repurposed for the Nigerian Police to combat banditry and insurgency in the country.
Given the urgency and timing of the sale during the last administration, the committee emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to ensure that due process was followed and to safeguard the country’s interests.
The committee aims to ascertain if there were any hidden agendas behind the sale and ensure the involvement of the new regime in the completion of the sale process.
