Director-General of the
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu, on
Friday defended the purchase of two BMW 760 armored cars, saying the
vehicles are for operational use.
He denied media reports that the vehicles were acquired for the minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Uduah.
Briefing
newsmen in Abuja on the controversy that has trailed the purchase of
the vehicles, NCAA said due process was followed in the acquisition of
the vehicles. He put the cost at N255, 150, 000.
He said: “This
press conference is to throw more light on emerging media reports on the
circumstances surrounding the procurement of Two BMW 760 Li Armored
Series cars for the NCAA.
“The cars are operational vehicles used
in the varied operations of the NCAA. Transporting the minister and
aviation-related foreign dignitaries is part of this operation.
“We
make haste to state that aviation is a global industry and the NCAA,
the regulator of the industry in Nigeria very often plays host to
dignitaries from international civil aviation bodies like, ICAO, IATA,
United States - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), among others.
“It
is internationally customary to convey our minister and these visiting
foreign dignitaries in security vehicles whenever they are in Nigeria.
“It
must be noted that during such visitations, the security of members of
the delegation is the sole responsibility of the host country,” he said.
According
to him, the vehicles in question are in the pool of the NCAA for these
special assignments and available at NCAA office.
Akinkuotu, further noted that the vehicles were budgeted for and that all necessary procurement and due process was followed.
He added that this was not the first time the agency had procured high security vehicles for aforementioned purposes.
He confirmed that vehicles were purchased from Coscharis Motors, the only dealer of such vehicles in Nigeria.
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