Reps probe NCAT over auction of 2 helicopters

The House of Representatives has begun investigation into the alleged low sales of two training helicopters to private individuals by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.

Two helicopters: Bell 206L4 BZB and Bell M2061-L4 were sold for $650,000 and $550,000 in May 2023.

This followed the approval by the Federal Ministry of Works as well as Ministry of Aviation respectively.

Some officials from the college faced with intense scrutiny before the House of Reps. Committee on Public Procurement when the lawmakers met them in Abuja on Friday.

Rep. Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the Committee, expressed dissatisfaction with NCAT that the choppers were sold below 20 per cent of their cost price.

Rep. Ismailia Dabo, Vice Chairman of the Committee, said the situation showed possible discrepancies in the financial processes hence the probe.

The committee alleged that the company responsible for auctioning of the aircraft was not registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and lacked certification from the Institute of Auctioneers in Nigeria.

The committee also accused the institution of under-remitting proceeds of the sales to the single Treasury account of the Federal Government as well as using out-dated exchange rates.

The committee told the management of the college to reappear before it, while demanding the presence of the auctioneer along with all the relevant documents pertaining to the transaction.

The committee also asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide details on the exchange rate during the period of the transaction.

The committee said, in spite of the interest shown by some of the nation’s security organisations when they learned of the move to sell the helicopters, the management of NCAT ignored them.

The committee also alleged that NCAT went ahead to sell the helicopters to companies whose records could not be found with the CAC.

In his submission, acting Rector, NCAT, Shaka Imalighwe, sought the permission of the committee to allow the head of quality assurance and procurement to speak on the sale of the two training helicopters.

Imalighwe said that he has no idea of the processes that led to the sale of the helicopters because was appointed acting rector of the college on Dec. 20, 2023 and was handed over officially on Jan.18.