Oshiomhole and some aides were on their way from Government House, Benin to Awka, Anambra State in the chartered OAS helicopter marked 5N-BPX AS335 for the burial of Mrs. Collette Obi, the wife of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi when the aircraft was recalled to Benin Airport.

When the Filipino pilot, Capt. James Manahash, received the signal from the airport’s control tower, he immediately altered course and headed to the airport. He disembarked and went to enquire why he was recalled.

He was told that he did not pay aerodrome and landing fees and that he did not also file a passengers’ manifest.

The pilot was, however, told that he would not be allowed to fly the helicopter for reasons which were not stated to him.

Not even the intervention of the governor, who was forced to disembark after sitting in the aircraft for one hour, could make the airport staff to allow the aircraft to continue with the journey.

When it became obvious that he would not beallowed to fly, Oshiomhole and his aides cancelled the journey and called up the governor’s convoy.

When it arrived, the governor left the airport to his hometown, Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
Efforts to get his comments on the development, however failed.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency,
Mr. Supo Atobatele, confirmed the incident to one of our correspondents, saying the pilot refused to pay because he was carrying a governor.

He also indicated that that was not the first time the pilot would committed the same infraction, a charge the expatriate subtly confirmed in his chat with journalists.

Atobatele said, “Again, the pilot refused to pay our charges. He refused to pay because he was carrying a governor. You are carrying a governor doesn’t mean that you cannot pay our charges.”

Asked if the helicopter was allowed to fly later, he said, “Well, we gathered that there was an agreement between our staff and the pilot. The governor tried to intervene and then there was a kind of settlement as the governor used his influence.

“But the fact still remains that the pilot refused to do the needful and it is a commercial helicopter. He has to pay the adequate navigational charges; and because he was carrying a governor he refused to pay, so we had no option but to ground the helicopter.”

He stressed that the revised civil aviation policy had made it clear that all pilots must pay their dues to the respective aviation agencies before they would be allowed to fly regardless of the occupants of their aircraft.

In a statement released some hours later, Atobatele said the pilot called from Edo State Government House, stating that he would be lifting from there to Awka, Anambra State. He said the pilot was, however, informed of the need for official documentation for the safety and security of people onboard.

He said, “His (the pilot’s) initial response was that he was flying the governor and they were going for an important meeting in Awka. He was advised to lift from the airport direct and do the documentation. This would have taken only three minutes.

“The pilot hesitated for a while and later consented to fly to the airport. At 10.18am, the helicopter landed at the airport and the pilot went straight to the Aeronautical Information Service without manifest as he claimed he didn’t know the names of those onboard.”

NAMA said the pilot was assisted to write the names of those onboard for the sake of the governor. It noted that its officials in line withrequirements for safety and security ensured that the pilot complied with the flight procedure in a process that lasted 30 minutes.

Atobatele said, “The Benin Airport Air Force Commandant, Air Commodore U.J. Atiku, told the pilot of the need to file in the necessary papers as a professional and that he should not give impression that the governor was denied departure to Awka.

“Amidst of all these, the governor sought to speak with the airspace manager on the cause of delay. The ASM was never given chance to explain the need to observe mandatory procedures for safety and security; rather he was verbally assaulted severally while trying to explain the primary reason for the delay.”

He said the pilot, who was simply addressed as Capt. Vame, believed to be a Korean, later apologised to NAMA officials for his refusal todocument his flight and pay the necessary charges.

“He pleaded that the incident should not be filed against him. There is no political issue in this case. NAMA is an air navigation service provider and we operate within globally acceptable standards.

“We are professionally guided by rules and procedures. The service we render borders on safety from the ground to the air and backto ground.”

In his comments, the Benin Airspace Acting Manager, who gave his name as Mr. Okolie, said, “I don’t have anything for you. If anyone said his aircraft was grounded by us, ask him why.”

He said NAMA as a statutory body has the responsibility to discharge its constitutional duties according to the law.

He added that it is the responsibility of the pilot to abide by the rule of the aviation industry, irrespective of the status of his passengers.

Abati added that Oshiomhole, being a respecter of the rule of law, would not encourage anybody to do otherwise.

He said, “It is not true that President Jonathan is behind this. It is wrong to say so. It has nothing to do with the President.

“NAMA is a statutory body. It has the responsibility to discharge its duties according to the law. It is important that we abide by the rules notwithstanding who is involved. There is nothing political about it.

“No matter who his passengers may be, the pilot has the duty to respect the law. Even Governor Oshiomhole who believes in the rule of law will not encourage anybody to flout the rules.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/outrage-as-fg-grounds-oshiomholes-helicopter-%e2%80%a2jonathan-has-lost-focus-opposition-parties/

Oshiomhole and some aides were on their way from Government House, Benin to Awka, Anambra State in the chartered OAS helicopter marked 5N-BPX AS335 for the burial of Mrs. Collette Obi, the wife of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi when the aircraft was recalled to Benin Airport.

When the Filipino pilot, Capt. James Manahash, received the signal from the airport’s control tower, he immediately altered course and headed to the airport. He disembarked and went to enquire why he was recalled.

He was told that he did not pay aerodrome and landing fees and that he did not also file a passengers’ manifest.

The pilot was, however, told that he would not be allowed to fly the helicopter for reasons which were not stated to him.

Not even the intervention of the governor, who was forced to disembark after sitting in the aircraft for one hour, could make the airport staff to allow the aircraft to continue with the journey.

When it became obvious that he would not beallowed to fly, Oshiomhole and his aides cancelled the journey and called up the governor’s convoy.

When it arrived, the governor left the airport to his hometown, Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
Efforts to get his comments on the development, however failed.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency,
Mr. Supo Atobatele, confirmed the incident to one of our correspondents, saying the pilot refused to pay because he was carrying a governor.

He also indicated that that was not the first time the pilot would committed the same infraction, a charge the expatriate subtly confirmed in his chat with journalists.

Atobatele said, “Again, the pilot refused to pay our charges. He refused to pay because he was carrying a governor. You are carrying a governor doesn’t mean that you cannot pay our charges.”

Asked if the helicopter was allowed to fly later, he said, “Well, we gathered that there was an agreement between our staff and the pilot. The governor tried to intervene and then there was a kind of settlement as the governor used his influence.

“But the fact still remains that the pilot refused to do the needful and it is a commercial helicopter. He has to pay the adequate navigational charges; and because he was carrying a governor he refused to pay, so we had no option but to ground the helicopter.”

He stressed that the revised civil aviation policy had made it clear that all pilots must pay their dues to the respective aviation agencies before they would be allowed to fly regardless of the occupants of their aircraft.

In a statement released some hours later, Atobatele said the pilot called from Edo State Government House, stating that he would be lifting from there to Awka, Anambra State. He said the pilot was, however, informed of the need for official documentation for the safety and security of people onboard.

He said, “His (the pilot’s) initial response was that he was flying the governor and they were going for an important meeting in Awka. He was advised to lift from the airport direct and do the documentation. This would have taken only three minutes.

“The pilot hesitated for a while and later consented to fly to the airport. At 10.18am, the helicopter landed at the airport and the pilot went straight to the Aeronautical Information Service without manifest as he claimed he didn’t know the names of those onboard.”

NAMA said the pilot was assisted to write the names of those onboard for the sake of the governor. It noted that its officials in line withrequirements for safety and security ensured that the pilot complied with the flight procedure in a process that lasted 30 minutes.

Atobatele said, “The Benin Airport Air Force Commandant, Air Commodore U.J. Atiku, told the pilot of the need to file in the necessary papers as a professional and that he should not give impression that the governor was denied departure to Awka.

“Amidst of all these, the governor sought to speak with the airspace manager on the cause of delay. The ASM was never given chance to explain the need to observe mandatory procedures for safety and security; rather he was verbally assaulted severally while trying to explain the primary reason for the delay.”

He said the pilot, who was simply addressed as Capt. Vame, believed to be a Korean, later apologised to NAMA officials for his refusal todocument his flight and pay the necessary charges.

“He pleaded that the incident should not be filed against him. There is no political issue in this case. NAMA is an air navigation service provider and we operate within globally acceptable standards.

“We are professionally guided by rules and procedures. The service we render borders on safety from the ground to the air and backto ground.”

In his comments, the Benin Airspace Acting Manager, who gave his name as Mr. Okolie, said, “I don’t have anything for you. If anyone said his aircraft was grounded by us, ask him why.”

He said NAMA as a statutory body has the responsibility to discharge its constitutional duties according to the law.

He added that it is the responsibility of the pilot to abide by the rule of the aviation industry, irrespective of the status of his passengers.

Abati added that Oshiomhole, being a respecter of the rule of law, would not encourage anybody to do otherwise.

He said, “It is not true that President Jonathan is behind this. It is wrong to say so. It has nothing to do with the President.

“NAMA is a statutory body. It has the responsibility to discharge its duties according to the law. It is important that we abide by the rules notwithstanding who is involved. There is nothing political about it.

“No matter who his passengers may be, the pilot has the duty to respect the law. Even Governor Oshiomhole who believes in the rule of law will not encourage anybody to flout the rules.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/outrage-as-fg-grounds-oshiomholes-helicopter-%e2%80%a2jonathan-has-lost-focus-opposition-parties/

[size=18pt]So what was NAMA (which means cattle in Igbo ) doing before the NGF crisis?
Dormant?
Why only Governor Amaechi and his supporters in the NGF are affected?[/size]

Personally, i have seen nothing wrong with NAMA's brief explanation. i wonder why people are just playing politics with this issue and blaming GEJ with this. Am not a politician but i am a follower of every reported events in this country. Does NAMA have to contact GEJ over every flight in this country? lets be reasonable, has Oshio informed GEJ that he would be travelling to Awka by chopper that day so that NAMA officials will quickly call aso rock that oshio is now on his way. what concerns GEJ with that kind of trivial issues/. some here are educated illiterates, so gullible that they can believe anything.

Orikinla: [size=3pt]So what was NAMA (which means cattle in Igbo ) doing before the NGF crisis?
Dormant?
Why only Governor Amaechi and his supporters in the NGF are affected?[/size]

i reduced your font to hide your ignorance

Sunny_bobo:

What makes it lame? After the Amaechi saga, NAMA clearly sounded a note of warning that any flight that doesn't submit its manifest won't be allowed to fly and anybody who clearly flouts the order should know the consequences. The passenger manifest need to be declared so we know when someone is flying a terrorist or wanted criminal or even in case of emergency, we can know who and who was on board for search and rescue as well as identification.

Well, the average Nigerian doesn't take health and safety issues serious.

Tell me or show evidence that all those oil companies helicopters operating from their different bases always go to the nearest airports to file manifest or pay ground fees before every flight.

If these companies can, where then is that sticking to rules you are mouthing!

'shiiit happens!!! Am in the only one who didnlt goto school? Where is the damn explanation here?

Does NAMA check the aircraft carrying Bamanga Tukur?

Have they checked those 11 or more planes in the presidential fleet? Do they dare stop 'madam at the top' from flying?

HAH: The story has changed cos initially we heard it was due to non payment of fees which we all know that universally is post paid. Now they have changed the story to manifest, well the manifest declaration before flight is the standard practice.

For the fact that suddenly the story change from fees to manifest I cannot ignore the case of political witch hunting.

I won't be surprised if NAMA comes up with a new story that the pilot failed to brush his teeth that morning.

Peterwins: Let them (politicians) continue to violate aviation rules in Nigeria and when there is an air mishap, they will blame GEJ for their recklessness towards zero tolerance for air safety. I wish them all the best.

I wonder why they have to blame GEJ for everything. If a man fight with his wife over feeding allowance, dey fit blame GEJ say na him cause the fight. Bunch of hypocrtes!

This is genesis of the crisis.

Any Governor who is not on GEJ's side is going to be hounded anytime and anywhere.

How many governors on the attached list of pro GEJ NGF have been affected by NAMA's rules?

Orikinla: This is genesis of the crisis.

Any Governor who is not on GEJ's side is going to be hounded anytime and anywhere.

How many governors on the attached list of pro GEJ NGF have been affected by NAMA's rules?

produce the flight plan ogbemi!

Soo many dafts here on this thread. Point out where the Gov has done wrong, you can't. NAMA has come out with their conspiracy theory just like their master in trade; Abati.

Pvt. Parts:
The explanation given is valid!
No civilian and even military (operating within civilian areas outside of war) aircraft can fly any where without filing a flight plan.

Pvt. Parts:
The explanation given is valid!
No civilian and even military (operating within civilian areas outside of war) aircraft can fly any where without filing a flight plan.

Pvt. Parts:
The explanation given is valid!
No civilian and even military (operating within civilian areas outside of war) aircraft can fly any where without filing a flight plan.

point

wellmax: Soo many dafts here on this thread. Point out where the Gov has done wrong, you can't. NAMA has come out with their conspiracy theory just like their master in trade; Abati.

If we are all daft then you sir must be Einstein! Was the governor ever blamed OR ACCUSED OF ANY WRONG DOING?
Did NAMA not openly declare whose fault it was that being the Pilot?
Rather than oshiomole to find an alternative to his travel arrangements he blames GEJ were the Pilot was obviously wrong.

This country una mumu well -well

brixton:


shut up ur mouth, u shud go to Iyamho to lick Oshomohle's Joystick if you have anyting against NAMA and deir explanation

osho GAY?

Dictatorship, even from a man of humble begining.

Pvt. Parts:


If we are all daft then you sir must be Einstein! Was the governor ever blamed OR ACCUSED OF ANY WRONG DOING?
Did NAMA not openly declare whose fault it was that being the Pilot?
Rather than oshiomole to find an alternative to his travel arrangements he blames GEJ were the Pilot was obviously wrong.

This country una mumu well -well

NAMA is wrong here,the Chopper was already going to Awka before it was diverted back to the Airport.

Why did NEMA allow the chopper take-off without due process .

emmatok:

NAMA is wrong here,the Chopper was already going to Awka before it was diverted back to the Airport.

Why did NEMA allow the chopper take-off without due process .

They aircraft took off from the Govt House.
Can the controller stop the governor's helicopter from taking off outside the airport?

emmatok:

NAMA is wrong here,the Chopper was already going to Awka before it was diverted back to the Airport.

Why did NEMA allow the chopper take-off without due process .

Wrong! The chopper wasn't on its way to Awka rather the pilot called the airport to inform them he was about conveying the governor to Awka from Govt. house and the airport officials askedd him to come to the airport to do the needful

HAH: The story has changed cos initially we heard it was due to non payment of fees which we all know that universally is post paid. Now they have changed the story to manifest, well the manifest declaration before flight is the standard practice.

For the fact that suddenly the story change from fees to manifest I cannot ignore the case of political witch hunting.

Please did u catch the full story because I feel its still developing. At what point did they agree to allow the chopper fly before recalling it? Or has that too changed?

NAMA had no right to subject the aircraft to routine checks since it was carrying Oshiomhole, one of the gods of the land. A god is not subject to any law.

If the report by the NAMA official is true,Oshiomole should simply shut his trap and move on.Lets be real here,nobody is witch hunting anybody,he simply refused to obey the rules thanks to the over zealous pilot.

brixton:


Dat mumu governor has mortgage our future in Edo state oooo.... Seem most Edolites dont pay attention to the rate at which this governor and his croonies in state house of assembly apply/secure world bank loans without any serious projects to show for them.

. I thought am the only one who knows this. Most Edolites are so gullible by dis Oshiomole's administration. he engages in cosmetic beautification of roads that will soon wear off. These roads are also been awarded at over inflated prices.

chidindufrank: why not take the fast lane to the governor's house and polish his joystick? Born to lick!! Jesus Christ while on earth paid tax and also encouraged us to pay taxes. He felt too big to presnt manifest because other people presnting theirs are fools abi?. You are here running onu asaghi asa. Shortman with short brain

did u rent dis pple to like ur stipidious post?

Orikinla: This is genesis of the crisis.

Any Governor who is not on GEJ's side is going to be hounded anytime and anywhere.

How many governors on the attached list of pro GEJ NGF have been affected by NAMA's rules?

And how many of them have broken NAMA rules?

emmatok:

NAMA is wrong here,the Chopper was already going to Awka before it was diverted back to the Airport.

Why did NEMA allow the chopper take-off without due process .

Where in the NAMA explanation was it indicated the chopper was airborne b4 being called back to the airport?
The pilot wanted to take off from the govt house but was requested/asked to come to the airport to fill the necessary papers and pay his bills which he did at 10:18am. Did you miss that part?

Pvt. Parts:

They aircraft took off from the Govt House.
Can the controller stop the governor's helicopter from taking off outside the airport?

Yes, any Aircraft within the Rader coverage can be stopped.

emmatok:

Yes, any Aircraft within the Rader coverage can be stopped.

There is no radar coverage in Benin (I should know, I worked at the Airport for 3yrs) and radar coverage does not disable an aircraft from taking off it only makes it "visible" to ATC.

And for your info; NAMA is required to provide a detailed summary of air traffic within the Nigerian Air Space. If there was no flight plan, then the flight technically never occurred. Other sister agencies within the Airport who may not require a flight plan to reconcile traffic such as FAAN and NCAA will bring forth the disparity in flight operations out of Benin.

There is strong need to reconcile stats not just for sake of record keeping but to track income and revenue generated within the aviation sector since agencies like NCAA and NIMET depend on percentage sharing formula for their IGR.

Orikinla: [size=18pt]So what was NAMA (which means cattle in Igbo ) doing before the NGF crisis?
Dormant?
Why only Governor Amaechi and his supporters in the NGF are affected?[/size]

small pikin,read the detailed story carefully.

onimcee1: . I thought am the only one who knows this. Most Edolites are so gullible by dis Oshiomole's administration. he engages in cosmetic beautification of roads that will soon wear off. These roads are also been awarded at over inflated prices.

What else do ACN governors do aside beautification.