The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Supo Atobatele, confirmed the incident to one of our correspondents, saying the pilot refused to pay because he was carrying a governor. He also indicated that that was not the first time the pilot would committed the same infraction, a charge the expatriate subtly confirmed in his chat with journalists. Atobatele said, “Again, the pilot refused to pay our charges. He refused to pay because he was carrying a governor. You are carrying a governor doesn’t mean that you cannot pay our charges.” Asked if the helicopter was allowed to fly later, he said, “Well, we gathered that there was an agreement between our staff and the pilot. The governor tried to intervene and then there was a kind of settlement as the governor used his influence. “But the fact still remains that the pilot refused to do the needful and it is a commercial helicopter. He has to pay the adequate navigational charges; and because he was carrying a governor he refused to pay, so we had no option but to ground the helicopter.” He stressed that the revised civil aviation policy had made it clear that all pilots must pay their dues to the respective aviation agencies before they would be allowed to fly regardless of the occupants of their aircraft. In a statement released some hours later, Atobatele said the pilot called from Edo State Government House, stating that he would be lifting from there to Awka, Anambra State. He said the pilot was, however, informed of the need for official documentation for the safety and security of people onboard. He said, “His (the pilot’s) initial response was that he was flying the governor and they were going for an important meeting in Awka. He was advised to lift from the airport direct and do the documentation. This would have taken only three minutes. “The pilot hesitated for a while and later consented to fly to the airport. At 10.18am, the helicopter landed at the airport and the pilot went straight to the Aeronautical Information Service without manifest as he claimed he didn’t know the names of those on board.” NAMA said the pilot was assisted to write the names of those onboard for the sake of the governor. It noted that its officials in line with requirements for safety and security ensured that the pilot complied with the flight procedure in a process that lasted 30 minutes. Atobatele said, “The Benin Airport Air Force Commandant, Air Commodore U.J. Atiku, told the pilot of the need to file in the necessary papers as a professional and that he should not give impression that the governor was denied departure to Awka. “Amidst of all these, the governor sought to speak with the airspace manager on the cause of delay. The ASM was never given chance to explain the need to observe mandatory procedures for safety and security; rather he was verbally assaulted severally while trying to explain the primary reason for the delay.” He said the pilot, who was simply addressed as Capt. Vame, believed to be a Korean, later apologised to NAMA officials for his refusal to document his flight and pay the necessary charges. “He pleaded that the incident should not be filed against him. There is no political issue in this case. NAMA is an air navigation service provider and we operate within globally acceptable standards. “We are professionally guided by rules and procedures. The service we render borders on safety from the ground to the air and back to ground.” But, the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Kassim Afegbua, pointed an accusing finger at the Presidency, saying they “are at it again.” Punch Newspapers Adams sud know this is not politics. He sud blame his pilot. the guy is a professional and kno waht is expected of him
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:10:55 +0000
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