Reps Move To Sack NCAA DG, Others

The House of Representatives has   recommended the dismissal and prosecution of Dr Harold Demuren, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for alleged criminal negligence.

The recommendation was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation.

It also recommended the dismissal of Mr Suleiman Akwuh, an engineer, who did pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated aircraft without prerequisite professional qualification.

Presenting the report, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha said that the committee in carrying out the assignment, received memorandum from stakeholders.

The report also recommended the revocation of the Air Operating Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines, because it was not issued in compliance with the NCAA’s Civil Regulations Guideline, 2009.

It recommended further that the NCAA should compel airlines involved in accidents to settle all outstanding insurance claims and ensure that current operating AOCs had reliable insurance cover as required by civil aviation regulations.

The Central Bank of Nigeria was asked to recover the N35.5 billion intervention fund extended to the defunct Air Nigeria through UBA Plc.

It recommended the phasing out of all MD83 aircraft operating in Nigeria because the NCAA had no certified engineer to handle the aircraft type.

It recommended revisiting of investigation report on the Bellview Airlines plane crash and other accident investigation reports.

The house also recommended a total overhaul of NCAA’s staff strength with a view to injecting technically and professionally qualified personnel.

It will be recalled that a Dana Airlines crashed in Lagos on June 3, killing all 156 passengers on board.