THE EXIT OF PRINCESS STELLA ADAEZE ODUAH- "THE NEED TO CELEBRATE A TRUE PATRIOT"

The curtains were drawn last week on what can be safely referred to as the "Golden Era" in the Aviation sector when the exit of the Honourable Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah was made public.

The Minister had for the past 5 months or so become a victim of high level intrigue orchestrated by "forces" within and outside the Aviation sector. The "stratagem plan" of these forces was to discredit the noble achievements of the Minister through a well funded media propaganda campaign.

ODUAH BOWS OUT, THANKS JONATHAN, NIGERIANS * URGES CONTINUITY OF TRANSFORMATION IN THE SECTOR

Immediate past MInister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, workers and Stakeholders in the aviation sector for the opportunity to serve the country and for the tremendous support given to her during her two and a half years' stewardship as Aviation Minister.

Oduah made the commendation shortly after officially handing over to the Surpervising Minister and current Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, JP.

" It was a great privilege to be chosen from amongst over 160 million Nigerians to serve in the Federal Cabinate. My profound gratitude goes to Mr President who provided me with this rare privilege. I also want to thank him for all the support he acorded me to pursue his Transformation Agenda in the Aviation Sector. I equally wish to thank my personal aides, aviator sector workers and stakeholders who partnered with me to realize our Vision and Mission in the sector", Oduah declared, continuing:

"During my tenure, we gave our best to institute reforms in line with Mr President's Transformation Agenda. We produced the Aviation sector Master plan and implementation Road Map. Using the Master Plan and Road Map, we were able to reconstruct and remodel all 22 federally-owned airports across the country. We also commenced the construction of five new international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano.

"We also introduced the Perishable Cargo and Aerotrolis concepts to drive the growth and development of not only the aviation sector, but also the Nigerian economy. Construction of the cargo terminals has commenced across 16 airports across the country while modalities have been completed to kick-start the Aerotropolis project. We also carried out institutional reforms, built the capacity of NCAT to produce enough professionals both for the local aviation market and for export.

"My greatest satisfaction comes from our accomplishments in the area of safety and security of the Nigerian airspace. We were able to procure, update and install safety-critical infrastructure that has repositioned the sector to achieve our objective of zero-accident rate in the Nigerian airspace.

The former Minister said the reforms instituted during her tenure will no doubt propel the sector to greater accomplishments and expressed the hope that her successor will sustain the tempo and momentum of transformation in the interest of the sector, the air travelers and the Nigerian economy.

Joe Obi
Former SA (Media) to immediate past Minister of Aviation

Benue People Commend FG over Revamp of Markurdi Airport

A first class traditional ruler in Benue state, Ter Markurdi, HRH Sule Abega, has commended the Federal Government on behalf of the people of the state for rehabilitating the Markurdi airport which had been abandoned for years.

For many years flight had stopped operating into the airport but the present administration incorporated it into the remodeling programme and it is one of the 22 airports government is rehabilitating.

Chief Abega who paid courtesy call on the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah recently conveyed the message of the people of the state to the Minister.

Wind Shear Responsible for ADC, Sosoliso, Bellview Crashes

Bellview crash

The Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau and Prevention (AIBP), Captain Usman Muktar, has said that wind shear was responsible for the Sosoliso, ADC, Bellview and other accidents that happened in 2005 and 2006, aside human error.

Wind shear is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere, which could spin an aircraft out of control.

Experts say it is dangerous for flights because it is highly turbulent and according to them the only way to prevent wind shear is to avoid it.

The AIB Commissioner disclosed that during the investigations on the causes of the accidents it was found that weather played key role in downing the aircraft which together killed over 400 people. Further investigation however narrowed the cause of the accidents down to wind shear.

 

 

Dana Air has added a Boeing 737-500 series aircraft, to boost its fleet and entire operations. With the additional aircraft coming into service, Dana Air will now operate an aircraft fleet comprising of the Boeing MD 83 series and Boeing 737 brand of aircraft.