For better training of pilots, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, will take delivery of a brand new TBN 850 trainer airplane for N700 million and a multi-engine simulator valued at N98.5 million.

The two equipment are expected to land in the college before the year winds up.

The Aviation Minister, Babatunde Omotoba, said the college is expected to receive N2.5 billion as allocation from the Federal Government.

Omotoba added that the $10 million out of the $46.6 million World Bank grant would be given to NCAT to address its infrastructural challenges and enhance its curriculum.

He stated that NCAT would before the end of the year, acquire a multi-purpose simulator to boost training.

“The contract for the airplane is currently awaiting the approval of the Ministerial Tender’s Board (MTB). Once they’re through, I’ll ratify their decision. The TBN 850 airplane that we’re purchasing is costing about N700 million. It’s in this year’s budget and it has been there for quite sometime. Now we have done our due diligence and pushed it to Due process and they’ve given us a certificate. Right now, we’re putting together a memo we’re taking to the Federal Executive Council.

I was opportuned to meet the manufacturer of the airplane in France for the air show.

It should be delivered this year. The multi-engine simulator is valued at N98.5 million and it will help reduce training duration and cost,” he explained.

Omotoba also revealed that the World Bank is assisting NCAT in repairing its three simulators that have been unserviceable for a long time.

“More so, the runway of NCAT does not have airfield lighting and that is one of the things we’re going to be completing before the end of this year.”

We’re also acquiring a new Very-high Omini-directional radio Range (VOR) as well as Instrument Landing System (ILS). By the time all these are fixed, all the trainings will be done in this place and not taking the students out to other airports like Kano and Kaduna for instrument and night flight”, he stated.

Also speaking during the visit, the Rector/Chief Executive of NCAT, Capt. Adebayo Araba, disclosed that the part of challenges of the school is the encroachment of neighbouring villagers, stressing that the issue requires government intervention.

He added that all efforts by the NCAT management to check the encroachment proved abortive, adding: “We just had to give it up. We reported the matter to the Kaduna State government since they are the people that issue them the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).

If we say we want to erect a fence, they’ll surely pull it down. We’ve done that a couple of times and that was what we got, so we simply left it like that. Besides, if we say we want to erect something very strong to prevent encroachment, the reaction, I can assure you will be very severe, that much I know”, he said.

He revealed that the college is on the verge commencing helicopter training before the first quarter of next year.

Also speaking during the minister’s visit, the Head of Aviation Management School of NCAT, Engr. A. A. Onipede mooted that the college, in collaboration with some notable institutions, will commence awarding degrees in aviation management.

Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Hon George Feyii (2nd right) and other members of ICAN, during a courtesy call, recently.