Rivers govt faults Nigerian government quarry over Bombardier aircraft ownership
(Nigeria) Rivers State Government, yesterday, expressed dismay at the statement
attributed to officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the
status of the aircraft belonging to the state government, a Bombardier BD 700
Global Express jet.
The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mr
Ibim Semenitari, in a statement, said “It is pertinent to note that all of the
information and queries about this aircraft have only been through the mass
media. Rivers State Government had not
received any communication from the Ministry of Aviation or any of its agencies
querying the status of its aircraft even up till this moment.
“ Rivers State Government is surprised to read about matters
of administrative procedure and allegations of illegality and abuse of process
in the media. Rivers State Government wishes to note that this press conference
and the various issues raised arose only after the embarrassing incident of a
delay of the aircraft and its passengers at Akure on April 26, 2013
“The state government wishes to note also that the issues
raised in this press briefing will be the third reason adduced for the delay of
the Rivers State Government’s aircraft in Akure. However, for purposes of clarification and in
keeping with its policy of rendering “transparent and accountable stewardship”
to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following for the avoidance of
doubt, that the Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since
October 2012; It was bought by Rivers State Government and registered as a US
Aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation
and sourcing of available pilots.
“ To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US
citizen hence RVSG entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that
specialises in Aircraft trust. The
relationship between the state government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor
and trustee. All N registered Aircrafts enjoy the privileges of a US citizen; Trust
agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry.
“It is important to state that there are other aircraft
owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft. This practice is because of the
ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy. We do not
therefore understand why Rivers State Government has been singled out. The clearance referred to was PH- Accra- PH
and not Accra PH Accra as stated. The Aircraft
was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending
approval of importation licence by Minister of Aviation.
“Request for this license was filed by the operator on
behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request
filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the Minister’s office on September
4,2012. Rivers State Government is a
responsible sub national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will
at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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