Controversy over the aircraft belonging to the River state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, took another dimension on Saturday as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, announced that it had again grounded the plane.
The NCAA said the action became necessary as the operating license of the Bombardier jet had expired.
The plane was on Friday temporarily grounded in Akure, the Ondo state capital, because the pilot failed to provide the manifest.
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.”
According to her, “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 statement added 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 said.
Many say the bickering over the issue is not unconnected with the 2015 general elections.
Amaechi, Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, is said to be opposing the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, a development the latter considers an affront.
In a bid to deplete the Governor’s support base in the influential NGF, the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party formed a forum for Governors elected under the platform. It selected Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio as Chairman.
Incidentally, Ameachi and Jonathan, who have been at loggerheads over future political ambitions, hail from Nigeria’s oil rich South-south region.
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