Modibo: NCAT Spent N5bn to Maintain 2 Helicopters in 10 Years

Chinedu Eze

The Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Captain Alkali Modibbo has said that two helicopters acquired by the federal government for the College were sold because they were gulping N500 million every year for maintenance and in the last 10 years, the College had spent N5 billion on them and that was why the Ministry of Aviation decided to sell them at $600, 000 each.

He said that the helicopters were not missing as initially reported; rather, they were sold and explained the reason why they were sold.

“First and foremost, airplanes don’t get missing; if an aircraft takes off, it must land. In the process of landing, the aircraft would be asked so many questions of where it is coming from and going into. The two helicopters were acquired by the federal government about 12-13 years ago during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It was purchased for the purpose of training pilots, but that kind of helicopters, you can’t use them for initial training of pilots. And what the college does is basic training.

“The helicopters have jet engines and with jet engines, it is so expensive. So, the Ministry of Aviation decided to sell the helicopters and replaced them with piston engine helicopters. The only way you can sell it and get your money back is by auction, which is the approved process for selling government properties,” Modibbo disclosed.

He explained that the process to sell the two choppers started in 2019, when NCAT filed the papers and requested for approval and evaluation from the Ministry.