The House of Representatives has pledged its determination to retrieve two Bell helicopters that were sold to private individuals, despite originally belonging to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria.
During an investigative hearing held in Abuja on Thursday, Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the House of Reps Committee on Public Assets, expressed concern over the sale of the helicopters, as it left the college without any helicopters for training purposes.
The committee raised questions regarding the sales process, particularly in light of the expressed interest by security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force, Navy, and Police, to purchase the helicopters. However, the management of NCAT denied the security agencies the opportunity to acquire them, despite their written expressions of interest and visits to the college.
Mr. Shaka Imalighwe, the Acting Rector of NCAT, clarified that although he was the deputy rector at the time of the helicopter sales, he was not involved in the team or committee responsible for facilitating the transactions. Imalighwe assumed the role of Acting Rector in January 2024.
The committee expressed disappointment at NCAT’s failure to provide crucial documents relating to the sale process, including approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Ministry of Aviation, as well as newspaper publications advertising the intention to sell the helicopters.
Imalighwe informed the committee that the helicopters were in service and being maintained by relevant aviation bodies before they were sold. He further confirmed that the institution currently does not possess any helicopters for training purposes.
The lawmakers criticized NCAT for utilizing an unlicensed auctioneer in the sale of the helicopters. Consequently, the committee has summoned both the past and present Ministers of Aviation, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and the former and current Rectors of the College, among others, to appear before the next investigative hearing.