Igbokoda crash: Senate demands audit of presidential, NAF aircraft

The Senate has called for a “comprehensive audit” of the aircraft in the fleet of the Presidency and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with a view to determining their serviceability and airworthiness.

It said the step, which would also include a full investigation, could help address air accidents involving military planes, especially the October 5 crash of NAF 931, an ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, which was flying from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, had lost contact with air traffic controllers about 9:13 am before nose-diving and killing 25 persons, including five crew members.

The Senate resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Ngwu to bring the Igbokoda tragedy to the attention of lawmakers and find ways of preventing another disaster.

The Senate also called for adequate funding of the air force fleet as well as ensuring regular replacement of aging aircraft.

The motion read partly, “I commiserate with the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the government and the families of the victims of this national tragedy.

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“I urge the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to conduct a thorough, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the immediate, root and remote causes of the crash and make their findings public.

“I also urge the Senate Committees on the Air Force and Aviation to conduct an oversight visit to the crash site, interface with the Nigerian Air Force authorities and carry out a holistic audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.

“I urge the Federal Government to prioritise funding for the regular maintenance and replacement of ageing aircraft in the civilian and military fleets to safeguard the lives of our aviation personnel.”

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, while making a contribution to the debate, wholly agreed with the mover of the motion.

Monguno stated, “It is high time our relevant committees, particularly the Committee on the Air Force, as alluded to in the prayers of the motion, conducted a comprehensive audit to determine the serviceability and operational readiness of aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet and establish their airworthiness.

“This will help us prevent a recurrence of this ugly scenario, which is becoming a recurring decimal in accidents involving the Nigerian Air Force fleet.”

The Senate commiserated with the families of the victims and observed a minute’s silence in their honour.