UNION BERATES REPS OVER STATEMENT ON DANA, NCAA

By NBF News

http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=121694 The call by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation for the sack of the Director-General of the  Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, and the suspension of Dana Air's operations due to the type of aircraft used, have continued to generate reactions, as the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) have criticised what they referred to as misinformation of the public by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

In a release, signed by the National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, said; 'It is incorrect, the sweeping conclusion by the House that NCAA does not have a single qualified Inspector on the MD 83. It is also not true that the NCAA does not have in its employment any person rated on the MD 83.  From our investigation in NCAA and from commentaries from our members, NCAA inspectors pride themselves with multiple ratings and some of the best training portfolio in the world.'

This, he said, was confirmed during the ICAO and FAA CAT 1 Audit of Nigeria stressing that at the time of the Audit, Dana Airline was already conducting flight operations in Nigeria.

Okewu expressed concern  over the sensationalisation of an operational cum safety issues like air returns by pilots.

He said it was a practice that was encouraged by ICAO and Civil Aviations Authorities all over the world to ensure continuous safety of flight operations.

'An investigation into the operations of our domestic carriers will reveal several air return but this does not in any way suggest that they have unsafe operations or that danger is in sight. There is no parking space in the air, so air returns are not only a necessity but more of an operational requirement.'