Due to underutilization, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), located in Zaria, Kaduna State, claims to have sold two helicopters at auction for a combined 556,200,322 USD (N1.2 billion).
Capt. Alkali Modibbo, the institution’s rector and chief executive officer, informed reporters in Zaria on Sunday that the two Bell 206B-III model helicopters had been disposed of after carrying out the necessary due diligence.
Modibbo stated that following approval and valuation reports acquired from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, a Federal Government licensed auctioneer, was hired to dispose of the affected helicopters.
He claims that the auctioneer transferred N1.2 billion in total (totaling $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25) using FGN Remita receipts with the reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, respectively.
He remembered that, in a letter dated December 13, 2022, with Reference No. NHQ:04/61/93/OPS/VOL. VII/23, the Nigerian Navy indicated interest in purchasing the two helicopters.
“I am instructed to extend the appreciation of the Chief of the Naval Staff to the Rector and Staff of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, as well as to express our desire to view the two Bell 206L-3 (Long Range) helicopters that your organization is planning to dispose of.
The Nigerian Navy (NN) is aware that the facility’s two Bell 206L-3 helicopters are currently grossly underutilized as a result of a lack of pilot training.
The letter stated, in part, “I am to humbly inform the Rector that the NN operates a similar type of helicopter and hereby expresses its interest to inspect the helicopters for possible acquisition with a view to bolster its operations toward ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment.”
As a result, Mr. Adeyemi Apata, Director of Tresmo Nigeria Limited, submitted an application to be named the NCAT auctioneer through letter dated March 3, 2023, according to Modibbo.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation authorized the sale of the two Bell 206 helicopters in a letter dated March 15, 2023, according to the NCAT chief executive, allowing the college to purchase Basic Trainer Helicopters.
Again, in keeping with obeying the law, the college sent a letter dated March 30, 2023 to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing asking for the Valuation Reports of the impacted helicopters.
According to Modibbo, this resulted in the appointment of Messrs. Tresmo as the auctioneer via NCAT.11/1204/VOL.1/043, dated April 6, 2023.
The NCAT Rector also stated that the auctioneer also approved and carried out the sale of the helicopters via a letter dated April 7, 2023 and signed by Mr. Baba Malik, which also sent the sale’s N1.2 billion revenues to the Federal Government account.
He emphasized that due diligence was followed when the two unused helicopters were auctioned off to help the college’s training needs.