Iruoma Okpalaebubu
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has transfered Rivers State’s ownership of her AW 139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The governor said is in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to providing necessary support and collaboration towards securing lives and guaranteeing enabling environment for investments in Rivers and the Niger Delta.
The governor who handed the aircraft to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, at the NAF Base, Port Harcourt, Wednesday, disclosed that Rivers State Government is resurfacing the runway at the airbase among other support by his administration.
Governor Fubara told stakeholders that as the governor of the State he is incidentally a member of a Committee saddled with ensuring that critical assets of Federal Government domicile in the Niger Delta are secured for enhanced operations and effectiveness.
“As part of that responsibility, we are required to provide basic support, of logistics for effective operations, not just for the Nigerian Air Force, but to the Army, Navy, Police and the DSS.”
He said due to such responsibility when he received the request from the Chief of Air Staff declaring interest in the AW 139 helicopter for security operations, his government did not hesitate to donate it to the Nigerian Air Force.
According to him the AW 139 helicopter was left in the NAF Base for so many years when the contractor that Rivers State Government leased it to, failed to remit anything to the government. He added that with such breach the State government had to retrieve the helicopter from Aero Contractors and kept at the NAF Base.
The governor said the request of the Chief of Air Staff was brought before the Executive Council and it was agreed that the success of the Air Force in securing critical assets is paramount in bolstering oil production which also means improved revenue for Rivers State and subsequently approved the request, stressing that it is also to support the President’s cause of ensuring increased oil production level for the country.
“So, what we are doing today is not politics. This is a sincere commitment to support the operations and the success of Nigeria. Our only expectation is that this donation should be adequately and effectively deployed to secure lives, assets and majorly operations in Rivers and Niger Delta at large.”
Governor Fubara noted that his government is not limiting the support to the donation, but has undertaken the rehabilitation of the runway at the airbase and other development ventures.
“From this hour, this facility belongs to the Nigerian Air Force. We are not going back on it, we will continue to do more to provide support. We have been faced with the situation where we donate security boats and at the end it is not used to secure the lives of our people.
“About two or three weeks ago we were embarrassed that the Inspector General of Police had to donate some security boats for the security of our waterway, especially the Bonny waterway.
“I know, not just my administration, even the previous administration made significant donations of gunboats for securing of waterways. So, please ensure while you also use it to do other things let’s be focused in Rivers State.”
Receiving the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, described the governor’s gesture as “yet another milestone in our collective quest to enhance the safety and security of our beloved country.”
He expressed deep gratitude to the Rivers State Government for its consistent support and dedication to the wellbeing of men and officers of the Nigerian Air Force for over six decades that they have been in Rivers State.
According to him, “Strong partnership with government and civil institutions such as this generous handover of the AW 139 helicopter by the Rivers State Government exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to strengthen national security.”
On the value added by the donation, he said, “The helicopter will significantly enhance our operational capacity, particularly the tactical air lift, search and rescues as well as disaster relief missions.
Air Marshal Abubakar stated that with the helicopter’s advanced avionics, high speed capabilities and versatility it will improve their ability to conduct rapid response operations and humanitarian activities.
He said,”The Nigerian Air Force has already commenced comprehensive training programmes for our pilots, engineers and technicians to ensure the optimal utilisation of this helicopter,” assuring that they are already strengthening their maintenance infrastructure to guarantee the sustainability and serviceability of the helicopter.
The Air Chief revealed that Nigeria has witnessed increase in crude oil output reflecting the effectiveness of the ongoing efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and noted that the Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to collaborating with other security agencies to continue to safeguard the nation’s vital resources and ensure the security and stability of the maritime domain.
On his part, the Air Officer, Tactical Air Command, Air Vice-Marshal E.O.E Ebiowe commended the governor of Rivers State for sustaining the partnership between the government of Rivers State and the Nigerian Air Force.
He noted that over the years such collaboration has been instrumental in enhancing the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force especially through the government’s provision of suitable accommodations for the air personnel and the facilitation of effective air operations from the Port Harcourt NAF base.
According to him, “The handover of AW139 helicopter comes at a pivotal moment when the Nigerian Air Force is expanding its operational reach and effectiveness.