National Assembly demands NAF aircraft audit, probe of maintenance funds after Ondo crash
The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive audit of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft to determine their serviceability and airworthiness following a recent crash in Ondo State.
The Senate and House of Representatives made the call on Tuesday amid concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to strengthen maintenance procedures, safety protocols and oversight of ageing aircraft.
In the Senate, the resolution followed a motion sponsored by Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu West, during plenary.
The lawmakers expressed concern that recurring military air crashes had claimed the lives of military officers, raising questions about aircraft maintenance, operational safety and the airworthiness of ageing fleets.
The Senate warned that failure to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation could prevent the authorities from learning vital lessons needed to avert future incidents.
The upper chamber observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who died.
It urged the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crash and make their findings public.
The Senate also directed its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage NAF authorities and conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
It further urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft.
Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno North, seconded the motion and called on the relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive audit of the NAF fleet.
“It is high time for our relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive audit to determine the serviceability and readiness of the aircraft in the fleet of the Nigerian Air Force, to determine their airworthiness, so that we will prevent a future occurrence of this ugly scenario,” he said.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, proposed an additional resolution directing the NAF leadership to submit its aircraft maintenance budgetary provisions to the Senate.
“It is my prayer that the senate directs the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force to make available to the senate, through the relevant senate committee, the budgetary provisions for the maintenance of the aircraft,” he said.
Titus Zam, senator representing Benue North-West, seconded the proposal, saying the inquiry should establish the amount allocated for aircraft maintenance and determine whether the funding was sufficient to prevent such incidents.
reps call for stronger aircraft maintenance
At the House of Representatives, lawmakers also called for improved aircraft maintenance and airworthiness management following a motion moved by Alhassan Rurum.
After adopting the motion, the House urged the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its maintenance systems, particularly for ageing aircraft, and ensure that only aircraft meeting prescribed safety standards were deployed for operations.
Donald Ojogo, a member of the House, commended the pilot, saying the pilot’s actions helped minimise potential destruction that could have occurred if the aircraft had crashed in a densely populated area.
“We have to give kudos to the pilot. It is a very sad incident,” he said.
Babajimi Benson, chairman of the House Committee on Army, described the crash as a painful reminder of the risks military personnel face while defending the country.
“We must never take their service and courage for granted,” Benson said.
