The House of Representatives committee set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the grounding of an aircraft belonging to the Rivers State government has indicted the aviation ministry and Caverton helicopters.
The report which is yet to be discussed by lawmakers states that the behaviour of officials of Caverton helicopter lends credence to the assertion that it was pressurised to deny a relationship with the Rivers state government.
The report describe as grossly unprofessional the refusal by the aviation authorities to acknowledge that the aircraft belongs to the rivers state government.
A copy of the report sighted by Channels Television questioned the reason for grounding the aircraft, insisting that the claim by the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the ministry of aviation that the ownership of the aircraft is unclear is ‘in bad faith and grossly unprofessional”.
The report also indicts the aviation agent, Caverton helicopters for providing false documents to the aviation authorities which led to the grounding of the aircraft and recommends that the Attorney-General of the Federation should prosecute the agent.
During investigations, lawmakers ordered the list of all private jets and owners and documentations to be submitted by the Ministry of Aviation to enable the committees examine whether the Rivers State treatment was any different, particularly as it regards ownership and expiration of license.
The committees said ministry and its departments blatantly refused to send in the required materials despite assuring to do same.
“This attitude may be interpreted as an attempt to hide the suspected fact that many aircraft air being operated with expired permits or licenses,” a likelihood which would nullify one of the government’s allegations that Rivers state operated the aircraft on an expired permit.
The report which is yet to be considered by lawmakers may be amended before it is passed and endorsed by the house.