The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has
grounded the plane of River state governor; Mr
Rotimi Amaechi, for the expiration of its
operating license.
The plane which was on Friday temporarily
grounded in Akure, the Ondo state capital by
NCAA for the inability of the pilot to provide the
manifest of the plane, has now been suspended
from flying again.
The Acting Director General of NCAA, Joyce
Nkemakolam, at a press conference on Saturday,
described her address as the “status of the
controversial aircraft operated by governor
Amaechi.”
“The controversial aircraft on the service of
Governor Rotimi Amaechi is operating illegally in
the country” the NCAA boss stated.
According to Mrs Nkemakolam “the aircraft, a
bombardier –BD700, global express with
registration no N565 RS has its clearance
approval expired since Tuesday, April 2nd,
2013.”
“By our records, the last flight clearance for this
aircraft was approved for operation on
Thursday, March 28, 2013 on Accra-PH –Accra
and to terminate on April 2, 2013. With this
development, the aircraft has exceeded the
extra two days or 48 hours leeway for it to
leave the country.”
The NCAA boss further noted that “while still
operating illegally, the aircraft has been sighted
in several places including Owerri and Akure.”
“The owner of this aircraft according to the
certificate of registration is Bank of Utah,
trustee of Salt Lake City, Utah USA. The
clearance for the aircraft was sought by
Cavernton Helicopters on March 27, 2013.”
“Consequently, this aircraft in reference is
hereby grounded at any airport that is located
right now in the country” she announced.
Source: ChannelsTV