The House of Representatives Vows to Retrieve Sold Helicopters from Private Buyers During an investigative hearing in Abuja, Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, announced the House’s commitment to reclaiming two Bell Helicopters, Bell 206L4 BZB, and Bell M2061-L4, allegedly sold to private individuals and no longer under the possession of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
Kuye expressed deep concern over the sale, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the college’s training capabilities due to the absence of helicopters.
The committee raised questions regarding the sale process, particularly regarding the denial of purchase requests from various security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force, Navy, and Police, despite their interest.
Shaka Imalighwe, the acting rector of NCAT, clarified that while he was deputy rector at the time of the sale, he was not involved in the transaction.
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Imalighwe, who assumed the role of acting rector in January 2024, highlighted the college’s current lack of training helicopters.
Despite requests for documentation related to the sale, such as approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and Ministry of Aviation, and newspaper advertisements, NCAT has yet to provide them.
Imalighwe affirmed that the helicopters were operational and maintained by relevant aviation authorities before their sale, further underscoring the college’s current training deficiencies.
Lawmakers criticized NCAT for engaging an unlicensed auctioneer in the sale process and demanded the appearance of past and present Ministers of Aviation before the committee for further clarification.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and former and current college rectors were summoned to provide additional insights into the helicopter sale.
