An Aviation Analyst, Charles Aligbe, has commended the unnamed Air Traffic Controller in Benin, for the ‘professional courage’ in calling back a chattered helicopter boarded by the Governor of Edo state, for flouting aviation rules.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole with some of his aides were on their way to Awka, Anambra State in the chartered OAS helicopter when the aircraft was recalled to Benin Airport. The chopper’s pilot, Captain James Manahash, was alleged not to have paid aerodrome and landing fees and also not file a passengers manifest.
Speaking on Channels TV’s, Sunrise Daily, Aligbe applauded the Air Traffic Controller for having the courage to insist on due process despite the governor’s presence.
He blamed the Pilot, saying the “air traffic controller in Benin should be commended for courage because he exhibited professional courage by insisting that what should be done, should be done”.
Amaechi’s Plane
Arguing that it is important for every pilot to present manifesto of passengers on board, the aviation expert explained that Governor Amaechi’s pilot did not do follow the right procedure, just like Governor Oshiomhole’s pilot.
Noting that the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal’s aircraft was also at the Akure Airport at the time Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s plane was grounded, Aligbe claimed that the Pilot conveying the Speaker did the proper thing by typing the manifesto (including the names of all passengers) and sending it to the appropriate authority while Amaechi’s pilot did not indicate the names of his passengers.
He revealed that while presenting Amaechi’s manifest, the names of passengers was written as “Governor and others”.
He warned Nigerians to separate politics from professional issues and check if people are doing the appropriate thing.