Grounded aircraft: Reps condemn action; say it’s witch-hunt of political opponents

The House of Representatives, yesterday, condemned the grounding of an aircraft, a Bombardier BD 700 Global Express jet, belonging to the Rivers State Government by the National Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, describing it as “witch-hunt” of “perceived political opponents”.

This was as the Rivers State Government expressed dismay over allegations of illegality and abuse of process by officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft.

The House of Representatives which condemned the grounding of the aircraft following a motion sponsored by Ahmed Idris, representing Wase federal constituency in Plateau State, said the incident “raises serious issues as to the abuse of powers by the executive and the use of state machinery to with-hunt perceived political opponents”.



Leading the motion under matters of urgent national importance, Idris, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, said the action of the agency smacked of “impunity, lawlessness and political vendetta”.

The Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who criticised the executive arm for the action, described it as “detrimental to any democracy and tends towards dictatorship and draconian tendencies typical of the military era.”

He, therefore, mandated the House committees on Justice and Aviation to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident

Action dictatorial, smack of impunity, lawlessness and political vendetta — Reps

Adopting the motion, the House directed the two committees to “investigate the justification and circumstances surrounding the grounding of the Rivers State aircraft and report back to the House within two weeks”.

The BD 700 Global Express aircraft which was conveying Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Aminu Tambuwal was last week grounded by NAMA for what the agency called non-compliance with the aviation regulations as regards maintenance of aircraft.

Full story of our aircraft — Rivers State govt

Meanwhile, Rivers State Government, yesterday, expressed dismay at the statement attributed to officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft, insisting that the said aircraft was owned by the state government.

The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said, “It is pertinent to note that all of the information and queries about this aircraft have only been through the media.

Rivers State Government had not received any communication from the Ministry of Aviation or any of its agencies querying the status of its aircraft even up till this moment.

“ Rivers State Government is surprised to read about matters of administrative procedure and allegations of illegality and abuse of process in the media. The state government wishes to note that this press briefing and the various issues raised arose only after the embarrassing incident of a delay of the aircraft and its passengers at Akure on April 26, 2013

“The state government wishes to note also that the issues raised in this press briefing will be the third reason adduced for the delay of the Rivers State Government’s aircraft in Akure.

However, for purposes of clarification and in keeping with its policy of rendering “transparent and accountable stewardship” to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following for the avoidance of doubt, that the Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since October 2012.

It was bought by Rivers State Government and registered as a US Aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation and sourcing of available pilots.

“To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US citizen hence RVSG entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that specialises in aircraft trust.

The relationship between the state government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor and trustee. All N registered Aircrafts enjoy the privileges of a US citizen. Trust agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry.

“It is important to state that there are other aircraft owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft. This practice is because of the ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy.

We do not therefore understand why Rivers State Government has been singled out. The clearance referred to was PH-Accra- PH and not Accra-PH-Accra as stated. The aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending approval of importation licence by Minister of Aviation.

“Request for this licence was filed by the operator on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the Minister’s office on September 4,2012.

Rivers State Government is a responsible sub national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/grounded-aircraft-reps-condemn-action-say-its-witch-hunt-of-political-opponents/

I knew d RS PDP Exco lack exposure as per trend and practices in d aviation sector. Blinded by partisanship, he has hetefully revealed his ignorance and stupidity Just like his "oga at d top"

....

I really cant understand the pettiness of Nigerian Politicians I can understand desperation and clinging unto power but when they sink to levels beyond reason just to stay in power. Its something I just can't understand.

2015 shaping up!

witch hunt my foot.

Aircraft...Witch-hunt... seems FG now practices witch-craft o (abi na GEJ chop winch?)

#na to flog dem political-witches wit pawpaw leaf, confessions go soon start

Come 2015, Ara ga agba ndi ara.

We all know that.

So you mean these "honourables" have the time to debate frivolities?

For God's sake, THERE ARE BILLS TO PASS!!!

SOMETIMES I WANT TO BELIEVE THE WHITE MAN WHEN HE SAYS WE ARE LOWER HUMANS TO THEM.

WHEN THEY SAY WE ARE MONKEYS.

WHEN THEY SAY WE ARE NOT SMART AND REASONABLE...

SOMETIMES...

SMH

@tjololade:
SOMETIMES I WANT TO BELIEVE THE WHITE MAN WHEN HE SAYS I AM A LOWER HUMAN TO THEM.

WHEN THEY SAY I AM A MONKEY.

WHEN THEY SAY I AM NOT SMART AND REASONABLE...

SOMETIMES...

SMH

Dude you've got serious self esteem issues....

You need to be flogged with barbed wire so your brain can pick up.

Too much grammar, infact, they are their problems.

Tolexander: Grounded aircraft: Reps condemn action; say it’s witch-hunt of political opponents

The House of Representatives, yesterday, condemned the grounding of an aircraft, a Bombardier BD 700 Global Express jet, belonging to the Rivers State Government by the National Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, describing it as “witch-hunt” of “perceived political opponents”.

This was as the Rivers State Government expressed dismay over allegations of illegality and abuse of process by officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft.

The House of Representatives which condemned the grounding of the aircraft following a motion sponsored by Ahmed Idris, representing Wase federal constituency in Plateau State, said the incident “raises serious issues as to the abuse of powers by the executive and the use of state machinery to with-hunt perceived political opponents”.



Leading the motion under matters of urgent national importance, Idris, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, said the action of the agency smacked of “impunity, lawlessness and political vendetta”.

The Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who criticised the executive arm for the action, described it as “detrimental to any democracy and tends towards dictatorship and draconian tendencies typical of the military era.”

He, therefore, mandated the House committees on Justice and Aviation to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident

Action dictatorial, smack of impunity, lawlessness and political vendetta — Reps

Adopting the motion, the House directed the two committees to “investigate the justification and circumstances surrounding the grounding of the Rivers State aircraft and report back to the House within two weeks”.

The BD 700 Global Express aircraft which was conveying Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Aminu Tambuwal was last week grounded by NAMA for what the agency called non-compliance with the aviation regulations as regards maintenance of aircraft.

Full story of our aircraft — Rivers State govt

Meanwhile, Rivers State Government, yesterday, expressed dismay at the statement attributed to officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft, insisting that the said aircraft was owned by the state government.

The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said, “It is pertinent to note that all of the information and queries about this aircraft have only been through the media.

Rivers State Government had not received any communication from the Ministry of Aviation or any of its agencies querying the status of its aircraft even up till this moment.

“ Rivers State Government is surprised to read about matters of administrative procedure and allegations of illegality and abuse of process in the media. The state government wishes to note that this press briefing and the various issues raised arose only after the embarrassing incident of a delay of the aircraft and its passengers at Akure on April 26, 2013

“The state government wishes to note also that the issues raised in this press briefing will be the third reason adduced for the delay of the Rivers State Government’s aircraft in Akure.

However, for purposes of clarification and in keeping with its policy of rendering “transparent and accountable stewardship” to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following for the avoidance of doubt, that the Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since October 2012.

It was bought by Rivers State Government and registered as a US Aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation and sourcing of available pilots.

“To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US citizen hence RVSG entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that specialises in aircraft trust.

The relationship between the state government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor and trustee. All N registered Aircrafts enjoy the privileges of a US citizen. Trust agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry.

“It is important to state that there are other aircraft owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft. This practice is because of the ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy.

We do not therefore understand why Rivers State Government has been singled out. The clearance referred to was PH-Accra- PH and not Accra-PH-Accra as stated. The aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending approval of importation licence by Minister of Aviation.

“Request for this licence was filed by the operator on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the Minister’s office on September 4,2012.

Rivers State Government is a responsible sub national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/grounded-aircraft-reps-condemn-action-say-its-witch-hunt-of-political-opponents/

These idoitic reps have already jumped to conclusion without even seeking to hear from the NCAA

i love naija. live season film on point

Nawa Ooo!!

Dem No Even Get Time For Citizens Again!! Na Political Games Dem Dey Play!!

@tjololade:
SOMETIMES I WANT TO BELIEVE THE WHITE MAN WHEN HE SAYS WE ARE LOWER HUMANS TO THEM.

WHEN THEY SAY WE ARE MONKEYS.

WHEN THEY SAY WE ARE NOT SMART AND REASONABLE...

SOMETIMES...

SMH

Yes! you are a monkey
Yes! you are not smart and reasonable
Yes! you are lower than every Nairalander I have ever come across.

Truth is as shining light that dispels darkness.
Everybody could see the truth behind the grounding of the Rivers State aircraft but those with twisted mind due to wickedness and selfishness will always reject the truth even when the truth is as bright as the sun.

Gov. Aliyu Babangida has prophecied that those fighting the governors today, will come begging in 2015.

GEJ be warned, Gov. Ameachi has the supports of most northern governors and i can see he (Ameachi) is also gaining the support of the oppositions.

DeCleff: Truth is as shining light that dispels darkness.
Everybody could see the truth behind the grounding of the Rivers State aircraft but those with twisted mind due to wickedness and selfishness will always reject the truth even when the truth is as bright as the sun.

Gov. Aliyu Babangida has prophecied that those fighting the governors today, will come begging in 2015.

GEJ be warned, Gov. Ameachi has the supports of most northern governors and i can see he (Ameachi) is also gaining the support of the oppositions.

WISHFUL THINKING

Hmm

Agreed there‘s politics and power play involved in this issue but the question is, should Amaechi be the only one to play politics?
Isn‘t there politics and power play in Amaechi‘s use of the Nigerian Governors Forum to frustrate Jonathan‘s second term bid? Nobody saw and read politics into the various attempts Amaechi has made as Chairman of NGF to stop Jonathan.
Anyway on whatever side you are, that‘s politics and everyone is allowed to play it, exercise the power you have to get what you want. Amaechi has done it, so Jonathan should be allowed to do it.
Shikena.

Useless people I wish revolution can come soon they would be the first people to attack I'm telling you. The stupid lawmakers didn't even ask what the man is doing with private jet when the people he governs are all suffering ?

These people are sick in the head I'm telling you. So we have lawmakers that are just there to represent their family and friends. God will punish all of you.

[size=14pt]Liitle wonder nobody takes these representathieves seriously,most see them as mostly rogues,armed robbers and other criminals(as alluded to by a former president who is in a position to know)

Assuming the action was political(which was not anyway)pray tell,the governor whose aircraft was grounded and the speaker he was carrying,are they opposition party members?or which party leads the government that oversees the agency that grounded the aircraft,is it an opposition party, or the representathives are trying to tell us something we dont know about the party (dis)loyalty or Messers Amaechi and Tambuwal.

SMH @ dumb and criminal representatthieves that think through their butt-holes[/size]

kutchs: Agreed there‘s politics and power play involved in this issue but the question is, should Amaechi be the only one to play politics?
Isn‘t there politics and power play in Amaechi‘s use of the Nigerian Governors Forum to frustrate Jonathan‘s second term bid? Nobody saw and read politics into the various attempts Amaechi has made as Chairman of NGF to stop Jonathan.
Anyway on whatever side you are, that‘s politics and everyone is allowed to play it, exercise the power you have to get what you want. Amaechi has done it, so Jonathan should be allowed to do it.
Shikena.

My problem with the NGF chairman is that it went beyond stopping Jonathan into trying to make the government fail. He has more interest in the failure of the government than in its success. If he was only gunning for 2015 it would have been okay but he has been trying to ground the government. I believe that is crossing the line.

Tambuwal was in Amaechi's jet when it was grounded, so I did not expect him NOT to be emotional about this issue. The AirCraft in question has documents that are not updated and also privately registered NOT on the name of Rivers Stat Government. These are factual issues. Apart from the Aircraft, Amaechi has issues of disloyalty and anti-party activities to answer within the Great PDP, his days may just be numbered in the politicosphere.

figment232: These idoitic reps have already jumped to conclusion without even seeking to hear from the NCAA

You must be a very st.upid person. Why quote the whole post only to comment in just one sentence?

Anti Amaechi elements are truly having sleepless nights.

Jonathan is like a sinking ship, ready to take everything inside with it.