The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, has no single helicopter for training, the Acting Rector of the institution, Shaka Imalighwe, has disclosed.
He made the disclosure during an investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives to probe the sale of two helicopters belonging to the College.
Imalighwe told the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets that he took over the management of the College in an acting capacity in January 2024.
He said that he was not part of the team/committee that facilitated the sales, even though he was the Deputy Rector of the College at the time the helicopters were sold.
Ademorin Kuye, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee, expressed concern over the sale of the two helicopters to private individuals, when the College was left with no helicopter for training.
The committee also questioned the process leading to the sale of the helicopters to private individuals even when security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy and the Police, indicated interest in purchasing them.
The three security agencies, according to various submissions, did not only indicate interest to purchase the helicopters through writing, but also visited the College.
However, the management of the College denied them the opportunity to purchase the helicopters.
Following the hearing, the committee directed the immediate past and current minister of Aviation to appear before during the next investigative sitting.
Others summoned to appear before the committee are representatives of the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, and the immediate past and present rectors of the College, among others.