The Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Shaka Imalighwe, has revealed that the institution lacks any helicopters for training purposes.
This revelation came to light during an investigative hearing conducted by the House of Representatives to examine the sale of two helicopters belonging to the College.
Imalighwe, who assumed the role of Acting Rector in January 2024, clarified that he was not involved in the management team responsible for facilitating the sale, despite serving as the Deputy Rector when the helicopters were sold.
Expressing concern over the sale, Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, highlighted the disconcerting fact that the College was left without any helicopters for training after the sale to private individuals.
Moreover, the committee scrutinized the process leading to the sale, particularly questioning why the helicopters were not sold to security agencies such as the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy, and the Police, all of which had expressed interest in purchasing them.
According to various submissions, these agencies not only expressed interest in writing but also visited the College with intentions to buy the helicopters.
However, the College’s management reportedly denied them the opportunity to make the purchase.
In response to these revelations, the committee summoned the immediate past and current ministers of Aviation, along with representatives from the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and the former and current rectors of the College, among others, to appear before it during the next investigative session.