N255 million worth of BMW armoured cars by
the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)
continued yesterday with claims by the NCAA
that the vehicles were purchased for
operational purposes. The Director General of
NCAA, Dr. Fola Akinkuotu, spoke on the
purchase of the vehicles at a press conference
in Abuja. Akinkuotu, who is at the centre of
the controversy, said that apart from the
vehicles being bought for operational
purposes, provision was made for the purchase
of the cars in the 2013 budget. The NCAA boss
also admitted that the controversial vehicles
were purchased at the rate of N255, 155, 000.
He said that contrary to the insinuations in
some quarters, the cars had customs fixed
condition cost on them. The NCAA DG noted
that the press conference became necessary in
the light of the media reports about the
procurement of two BMW 760 LI amoured
steel cars for the NCAA. Akinkuotu said: "The
cars are operational vehicles used in the
various operations of the NCAA transporting
the Minister and aviation related foreign
dignitaries as part of its operations. "In the
light on the media reports circumstances
surrounding the procurement of two (2) BMW
760 LI amoured steel cars for the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). "First, I will
state that aviation is a global industry. The
NCAA, a regulatory agency, very often plays
host to international civil aviation bodies like
ICAO, IATA, US Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Africa Airline Association (AFA), African
Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), The Banjul
Accord Group (BAG), Civil Air Navigation
Service Organisations (CANSO), Airport Council
International (ACI), among several others. "It is
internationally customary to convey our
Minister and these foreign dignitaries in a
security vehicle whenever they are in Nigeria.
It must be noted that during such visitation,
the security of the members of the delegations
is the sole responsibility of the host country.
"The vehicles are therefore in the pool of the
NCAA for these special assignments and are
available at the NCAA office and can be shown
to you." Akinkuotu said it was not the first
time the agency would procure such high-
security vehicles for the aforementioned
purposes, adding that all the necessary
procurement processes were followed. "The
NCAA," he said, "remains focused on enforcing
standards and promoting safety in line with
ICAO and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations
(NCARS) and continues to perform its critical
functions and the appropriate resources
required for discharging these functions exist
within and under the control of NCAA. "We are
however shocked to note that online media
platforms (paparazzi) are now the sources of
information for some mainstream media. We
assure that the NCAA is available and will
continue to be available to give clarification
and further information whenever required."
Wondering how the information about the
acquisition leaked to the public, he said:: "I
don't know the source of the leak (sic). I
issued a circular to all the staff, GM, Directors
and Legal, and I will just read just a little bit.
"Without prejudice to the nature and content
of the document and the purpose of their
existence, leakage and ultimate publication is a
matter of great concern to the authority. "By
the nature of our work and statutory
provision, certain level of documents,
processes and integrity are required for our
successful day to day operation. For instance,
the Civil Aviation Act made specific provisions
with respect to our obligations for our
confidentiality and restricted access to certain
information that we procure in the conduct of
our statutory functions. "I am not saying this
particular information cannot be put in public
premises, but how it is obtained. If somebody
breaks into somebody's office, made copies of
official documents, is the breaking act not
criminal? "So, we are in the process of trying
to find the source of this leak and I am very
concerned about it because this information
may look trivial but there are other
information we have that are confidential." On
the high cost of the cars, he said: "There are
three factors that might decide. I am not
speaking on behalf of the persons who put up
the paper or the persons who cost it or the
persons who sold it. But first of all, each car
you buy has a custom features aspect to it.
"Were they budgeted for? Yes. I don't know the
cost of the President's car and I can't relate it
to this." The NCAA DG added that it is only
Coscharis Motors that can sell the brand of
cars in the country.
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