President Jonathan sacks all Heads of Aviation Parastatals

 

In what appears like a move to cleanse the aviation sector, President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday sacked the heads of four aviation parastatals in the country.Those affected include Mr George Uriese of FAAN, Mr Fola Akinkuotu of NCAA, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh of NAMA and Mrs Chinyere Kalu of NCAT.
This was contained in statement issued in Abuja, Tuesday by Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to the statement, Engr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) is to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing-Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The statement further showed that Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements, NAMA) is to replace Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) while Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector & ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) is to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).


In the same vein, Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB) is to replace Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

However Usman's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
In the meantime, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending Usman's confirmation by the Senate.
Dr. Engr. Felix A. Abali (Director Licencing, NCAA) has also been appointed  to replace Capt. Usman as Commissioner,  Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).
However, Dr. Tony Anuforo retains his position as Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

It would be recalled that President Jonathan had barely three weeks ago sacked the former Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah following her indictment over allegations that she used public funds to purchase two bullet-proof BMW cars at an inflated cost of N255 million. The House of Representatives which probed the scandal had also discovered that some of the Heads of parastatals under the ministry were also involved in the scandal.