Aircraft Grounding: Presidency Witch-Hunting Governor Amaechi, Says ACN
SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, (THEWILL) - The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has faulted the grounding of the Rivers State Government’s private aircraft by the regulatory NCAA, describing it as “a glaring case of political witch-hunt, despite the tepid denial of all concerned.”
In a statement by the ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the action also amounts to “gross abuse of national institutions, and a pointer to what lies ahead for all perceived enemies of the Jonathan administration.”
According to ACN, “the worst part of the whole issue is the fact that a body like NCAA, which is supposed to carry out its all-important duties without political interference, but in accordance with stipulated global standards, has now become a tool in the hands of vindictive politicians.
“First, the plane was ostensibly grounded in Akure because the pilot did not declare the flight’s manifest to the appropriate authorities. Then, it was said that the plane’s clearance certificate has expired, hence it was banned from flying in the Nigerian airspace.
“The questions that arise, therefore, are: Has the clearance certificate for the plane really expired? When did it expire? Was this communicated to the Rivers State government before the plane was grounded? If so, when, and if not, why not?” the statement read in part.
“While the NCAA must be free to carry out its regulatory duties without hindrance, it must be careful not to be seen to be acting on the orders of politicians. If this is the new modus operandi of the NCAA, then the nation is in trouble, and must be ready to see the reversal of the positive strides recorded in the aviation sector in the past few years,’’ the party warned.
It said while the alleged political crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not the business of anyone outside the party, it (ACN) is compelled to speak out “when national institutions are now being dragged into what is essentially an ugly ego-fight.”