The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria,
has no single helicopter for training, the Acting Rector of the institution,
Shaka Imalighwe, has disclosed.
He made the disclosure during an investigative hearing
organised by the House of Representatives to probe the sale of two helicopters
belonging to the College.
Imalighwe told the House of Representatives Committee on
Public Assets hat he took over the management of the College in an acting
capacity in January 2024.
He said that he was not part of the team/committee that
facilitated the sales, even though he was the Deputy Rector of the College at
the time the helicopters were sold.
Ademorin Kuye, the Chairman of the House of Representatives
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 to private individuals even when security agencies,
including the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy and the Police, indicated interest
in purchasing them.
The three security agencies, according to various
submissions, did not only indicate interest to purchase the helicopters through
writing, but also visited the College.
However, the management of the College denied them the
opportunity to purchase the helicopters.
Following the hearing, the committee directed the immediate
past and current minister of Aviation to appear before during the next
investigative sitting.
Others summoned to appear before the committee are
representatives of the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated,
MOFI, and the immediate past and present rectors of the College, among others.
