May 11, (THEWILL)- The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has assured the public that no purchase of vehicles has been made in the Authority and so, no procurement rules have been abused.
Last two weeks, it was alleged that just a few months after his appointment, the NCAA acting Director-General, Chris Najomo, was accused of financial mismanagement, breaches of government procurement regulations and significant abuse of office.
The report claimed that the agency purchased a 2022 brand of Toyota Land Cruiser (70th Anniversary Edition), worth over N250 million as the official vehicle for the DG.
But in an official statement issued on Saturday, signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the NCAAÂ dismissed the allegations.
In his reaction, Achimugu said the NCAA will not bow to blackmail or threats of any nature.
According to him, the agency is not unaware of the elements behind these spurious attempts designed to aid the bid of certain power-seekers and that they will respond robustly to any further attempts to cause chaos in our agency.
He explained further that “The NCAA acknowledges the genuine Civil Society Organisations, who have written to seek clarification about the issues raised. We will continue to be transparent about their concerns and we stand by our response via the press conference held on 29/04/2024Â that no purchase of vehicles has been made and so, no procurement rules have been abused.
“Any organisation, publication, or individual with a purchase receipt or evidence of the same stands challenged to publish it.
“Sequel to the notice of legal action that has been served on the publisher of Daily Nigerian and his reporter, the Authority will not hesitate to take legal action against blackmailers whose demands for money to “defend” a victim of defamation or have them face “negative public embarrassment” is not only sad but intolerable.
“The NCAA remains committed to ensuring that safety and economic regulations are strictly adhered to. We have serious work to do and we must acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, to improving the aviation sector as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s economic growth. The NCAA is grateful for the support of its staffers and unions who recently expressed a vote of confidence in the Capt. Najomo-led management.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, neither the agency nor Capt. Chris Najomo will be distracted by falsehood and blackmail”, Achimugu added.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
