The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology is set to organise a national summit to address issues affecting the aviation industry.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Abiodun Akinlade (APC-Ogun), made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move was sequel to Thursday’s Port-Harcourt helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five staff members of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
While expressing concern over the incident, Akinlade assured Nigerians that efforts were already on to ensure that the country’s airspace was safe for all to fly.
According to him, unforeseen incidences like this do happen globally, assuring Nigerians, however, that both the executives and the legislatures are working hard to ensure safest airspace around the world.
“We at the committee level demand the results of the investigation of the crash to avoid further occurrence.
“Very soon, there is going to be a national summit to address all issues that concern the aviation sector in Nigeria,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed sadness over the crash and prayed God to grant the departed eternal rest and comfort their families.
He commended the management team of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other relevant agencies for their quick response.
NAN reports that Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed one kilometre away from its destination in Rivers on Thursday.
The aircraft, which was said to be engaged by NNPCL, took off for the oil rig from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) and crashed around 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Rivers. (NAN)
APC declares Kano LG elections illegal, cites subsisting court order
The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kano State says the Saturday local government elections being conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission(KANSIEC) is illegal.
A chieftain of the party, Rabi’u Bichi,made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Saturday in Kano.
“The party’s stance is informed by a court order by Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which still stands, and which has rendered the election null and void.
“The judge ruled that the leadership of KANSIEC was partisan and biased towards the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state.
“Since the judgment has not been appealed, the APC considers any outcome of the election illegal,” he said.
The APC chieftain also pointed to a recent Federal High Court judgment that quashed all NNPP chairmanship candidates for the elections, which he said had further reinforced the party’s claims that the election is illegal.
He, however, urged all members of the party to exercise restraint and await the final outcome of the legal moves being made by the party to challenge the conduct of the polls.
NAN reports that the KANSIEC chairman, Prof. Sani Malumfashi. insisted that the commission is conducting its activities within the bounds of the law. “Every activity of the commission is procedural. We are not partisan.”
He further urged KANSIEC staff and ad hoc staff to resist any temptation of bribery and ensure that underage children are not allowed to vote.
Malumfashi also reminded politicians that vote-buying, thuggery, and other forms of violence contravene the state’s electoral guidelines.
He stressed that all democrats and advocates of democracy are expected to respect Friday’s Kano High Court judgement, which authorised the election to proceed.
Earlier on Friday, Kano State High Court No. 15 affirmed KANSIEC’s jurisdiction to conduct the Kano State local government polls, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 24 October 2024.
In his judgment, Justice Sanusi Ado Maaji stated that the Applicant had successfully proved their case.(NAN)