Investigation by the House of Representatives committee on Public Assets has unveiled a stunning revealation of how the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria allegedly sold out two helicopters without official approval by the federal executive council (FEC).
Apart from by passing FEC, NCAT could not also provide information or document in respect of approval of Ministry of Aviation as well as newspaper publication that advertised the college’s intention to sell the helicopters.
This was made known at the probe of controversial sale of two Bell Helicopters, Bell 206L4 BZB and Bell M2061- L4 Helicopters belonging to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria to private individuals.
Indeed, the committee has vowed to recover the two helicopters reportedly sold to private individuals below 20% of cost price.
The Chairman of the Committee on Public Assets, Hon. Ademorin Kuye on Wednesday at an investigative hearing expressed concern over the sale of the two helicopters to private individuals, when the college is left with no helicopter for training.
The committee also questioned the process leading to the sale of the helicopters as security agencies including Nigerian Air Force, Navy and Police indicated interest to purchase them but were denied by the management of the NCAT.
The three security agencies according to various submissions, did not only indicate interest to purchase the helicopters by writing but also visited the college but were denied the opportunity to purchase them.
Meanwhile, the Acting Rector of the College, Shaka Imalighwe who led the management team to the investigative hearing said though he was the Deputy Rector of the college as of the time the helicopters were sold, he was not part of the team/committee that facilitated their sales.
Shaka Imalighwe noted that he took over the management of the college in acting capacity in January 2024.
Though the representatives of the two companies that purchased the helicopters, Premier Jet Services and Blue Horn said they bought the helicopters as scraps, the Acting Rector, Shaka Imalighwe told the committee that the helicopters were in service and being maintained by relevant aviation bodies when they were sold.
The acting Rector of the college also confirmed to the lawmakers that at the moment, there is no single helccpter in the institution for training.
At the end of Wednesday siting, the committee directed the immediate past and current Minister of Aviation to appear before it at the next investigative hearing.
The committee also summoned Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, immediate past and present Rector of NCAT.
