FG Suspends Dana Airline License …NGF,NASS,Others Demand Probe

The Federal Government yesterday suspended indefinitely the operating license of DANA Air, owner of the MD 83 aircraft which crashed into residential buildings in Iju- Ishaga area of Lagos on Sunday, killing all 153 people on board.

The federal government, according to the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, took the step as part of the safety precautionary measures, saying no responsible government will fold its hands while its citizens perish.

Speaking through her Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Joe Obi, the minister explained that this is the first of series of steps to be taken by government to sanitise the aviation industry.

The indefinite suspension of DANA Air’s operating license comes just as anxiety heightens about a major shake- up in the industry regulatory body.

The shake- up, our correspondent gathered comes amid allegations that some officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority may have gone to sleep while the carrier allegedly operated a faulty aircraft without any oversight.

A source, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, wondered what calibre of inspectors would certify a faulty aircraft to embark on a trip, when the flight should be tested for airworthiness.

Apart from the banning of DANA Air operations, government it was learnt is also planning to ban the use of old aircraft in the Nigerian airspace, especially aircrafts that have been banned in other developed countries of the world.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also commiserated with the families of the deceased passengers of the Dana Air crash in Lagos, Nigeria, the Allied Air crash in Accra, Ghana, and the victims of the Bauchi bomb blast.

Clearly, last weekend was one of the darkest in Nigeria’s history, the governors said. A statement in Abuja, signed by Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, said “this is a very difficult period for our country and us all. We must collectively pray and rally round families, friends and all persons affected by these tragedies.

We pray to God for the repose of the victims of these unfortunate tragedies and for the families to have the fortitude to bear the huge and irreparable loss of dear ones.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Monday said it would set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the cause of the Dana Plane crash in Lagos on Sunday.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Zakari Mohammed (PDP-Kwara), disclosed the plan to newsmen in Abuja.

He assured Nigerians that the investigation would be thorough, as identified culprits would be made to face the full weight of the law.

Also, the Senate  demanded a thorough investigation of all airlines in the country to determine the airworthiness of their aircraft.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Senate’s spokesman, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia).

Reacting to the Dana plane crash in Lagos on Sunday, he said the investigation should not be limited to Dana Air alone as Nigeria could not afford to go back to the “anxiety-prone aviation dark ages”.

“Senate demands nothing, but a holistic investigation of the remote and immediate causes of the plane crash.

“Senate would also insist that the probe this time should not be limited to Dana Airlines and their fleet, but all the airlines operating in Nigeria.

Abaribe said, “We had thought that Nigeria had landed in the golden era of safe aviation industry, where all the standard codes that conform with international best practices were being complied with.”

According to him, the latest incident suggests that we may be headed to the aviation dark ages.

He said the Senate was prepared to support every effort that would strengthen the industry, keep the sky safer and prevent the industry from retrogressing.

Abaribe said that the Senate mourned the death of the 153 passengers in the ill- fated plane and condoled with their families.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP-Delta) has called on regulatory agencies to conduct “integrity checks” on all aircraft operating in Nigeria.

According to him, it is necessary to ensure that all airline operators conform with international best practices by ensuring that only certified planes are allowed to fly Nigeria’s airspace.

Okowa expressed the hope that the relevant regulatory agencies would employ people with the necessary expertise to carry out the tests.

Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan (left) accompanied by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (behind, left) acknowledging cheers from the crowd shortly on arrival at Otuoke, Bayelsa, while the Wife of the Governor, Rachael (right) looks on. Photo: Lucky Francis