Edo State Governor – Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Saturday, in Benin, described the grounding of his chartered helicopter by the Nigeria Airspace Management Authority as sinister.
He also called for the setting up of a panel to look into the circumstances surrounding NAMA’s action.
Oshiomhole, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Media), Kassim Afegbua, said the agency’s action was wrong and its explanation unsatisfactory.
He said, “They (NAMA) are wrong. Helicopters don’t run like normal airline operations. What if the helicopter had gone to Iyamho to pick the governor? There is more than they are saying; to stop an aircraft that was already airborne was sinister, even when the governor tried to intervene, they ignored him. That was crass of them. The governor called the NAMA man and he said he would ground the helicopter.
“Apart from us demanding an apology, we demand an inquiry into the immediate and remote cause of this embarrassment to the Edo State Governor. It is not all about reform, reform must follow rules.”
Speaking in the same vein, the state Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion, said the conduct of NAMA’s officials was unbecoming of public servants.
He wondered what fate would befall ordinary Nigerians if a governor could be treated in such manner.
Odion said, “That is the point Oshiomhole is drawing people’s attention to. I think the challenge before NAMA is to re-orientate its officials on the virtues of civility even in carrying out rules and regulations. They are public servants, not masters of the public.”
