The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has declared its intention to launch an investigation into the alleged sale of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Committee, led by Chairman Hon. Ademorin Kuye, expressed concern about media reports on Sunday, July 30, 2023, stating that two Bell 206L-3 helicopters, originally acquired as public assets for pilot training by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, were purportedly sold for N1.2 billion.
Kuye said, “The Sale of the Helicopters under the pretext of underutilization by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping in all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration.
“This is despite the offer of the Nigerian Navy to acquire the same and possibly use it to address the security challenges facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalization and crude oil theft. The committee equally feels the assets could have been converted for the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country.”
He stated that the rush to sell and give away public assets during the last administration’s final days is concerning: “suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration.”
The aviation committee chairman added, “It is only right that the new regime is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there are no hidden agendas.
“Therefore, the House Committee on Public Assets as constituted will investigate the sale of these important national training assets to ensure that due process is followed and that the country is not shortchanged in this deal.”