Nigerian College of Aviation Zaria has no single helicopter for training — Rector

Shaka Imalighwe, acting Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology(NCAT), Zaria, says the institute has no single helicopter for training.

Imalighwe made the disclosure during the investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets on the sale of two helicopters of the college in Abuja.

He told the Committee that he took over the management of the college in an acting capacity in January 2024.

According to him, even though he was the Deputy Rector of the college at the time the helicopters were sold, he disclosed that he was not part of the team/committee that facilitated the sales.

Speaking, Ademorin Kuye, the Chairman of the Committee, expressed concern over the sale of the two helicopters to private individuals, when the college was 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 the Police, indicated interest to purchase them.

According to various submissions, the three security agencies did not only indicate interest to purchase the helicopters by writing, they also visited the college but were denied the opportunity to purchase the helicopters by NCAT management.

The committee, therefore, directed the immediate past and current Minister of Aviation to appear before it in the next investigative hearing.

Also summoned was the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated(MOFI), immediate past Rector of the College, among others.