Following two near mishaps suffered recently by Dana Airline aircraft, the federal government has ordered a comprehensive audit of its personnel, operations and technical capacity.
This followed the consideration of a preliminary report submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
One of the airline’s aircraft had its door yanked off while taxing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on February 8 while another of its aircraft overshot the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport on February 21.
Briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, Senior Special Assistant to the president (Media and Publicity), said the government was concerned about the spate of near mishaps but expressed delight that there had been no fatalities.
He said: “A lot of quality time was spent discussing air safety. The government of Nigeria is very much concerned about safety and the life of Nigerians.
“This is following the recent air incidents. Minor as they were, because they are no fatalities, the government did feel concerned and the minister did the report to the council on steps that were taken following the last incident in Port Harcourt, Dana aircraft overshooting the runaway.
“As soon as that happened, a few seconds, a rescue team was there on the ground and few moments thereafter, every passenger on board was evacuated.
“They were no harm to persons and this is something that should be celebrated.
“Within 24 hours, an official investigation had commenced, because investigators arrived in Port Harcourt and began work. One week after that, a preliminary report was prepared and it was about this that the council was briefed.
“Consequently, as announced by the aviation authorities, the engineer and pilot of that particular aircraft got their licences both suspended and beyond that the government has ordered a complete audit of Dana airlines in terms of personnel, operations, technical capacity.”
Shehu said FEC approved the augmentation of the contract sum for Mangu Dam, in Plateau State to the tune ofN7.66 billion from the original cost of N5.66 billion.
This brings the total contract sum to N13.2 billion.
The council also approved the augmentation of the contract sum for the rehabilitation of Burnt Marina Bridge and the Maintenance of Eko(Apobgbon) and Iddo Bridges in Lagos, in favour of Messrs. Buildwell Plant and Equipment Industries Limited, in the sum of N114,424,225.05 representing 12 percent of the original contract sum.
The total cost of the contract expected to be completed in six months. now stands at N1,071,29,541.40 from N957,053,316.45.
Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said he provided his ministry’s scorecard to the council said that presented the status of the implementation of approved capital projects and achievements of the Ministry of Defence from 2015 to 2017.
The presentation covered the strategic policies of the Ministry which is to build and maintain flexible, compact and highly trained Armed forces capable of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
He said the brief also covers the serviceability of the military platforms, operational readiness, future projections and the way forward.
Minster of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma and his Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani also presented their ministries’ performance cards to the council.
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