Victor EzejaThe Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has denied that a vehicle worth N250 million was procured for the acting Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, without due process.
A media report had alleged that the acting NCAA DG purchased vehicles worth N250 million for official use.
However, NCAA spokesman, and Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate, Mr. Michael Achimugu in a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, described the report as fabricated, and baseless, adding that the reporter failed to do due diligence on his ‘investigative story.’
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Achimugu said the acting DG of NCAA has not purchased any vehicle since he assumed office in December 2023.
He promised that he and the acting DG would resign if the reporter can provide proof of purchase of the vehicle.
The NCAA spokesman threatened to take legal action against the reporter and the news medium for publishing what he called “falsehood.”
“NCAA has not paid any amount of money for any vehicle in the world since Captain Najomo came into office and I challenge the writer to present evidence and I will tender my resignation immediately and not only that, I will ask the DG to do same as well.”
Achimugu further stated that Captain Najomo has had no operational vehicle since he assumed office, as the suspended DG of NCCA, Capt. Musa Nuhu left with the vehicles in his custody.
Achimugu further declared that the Ag. DGCA has not bought operational vehicles for the Directors of the Authority either, adding that Najomo “chose to prioritize staff welfare over and above personal comfort, as demonstrated in the payment of overdue staff entitlements and the promotion of stagnated staff of the Authority.“
On the alleged approval of N1 billion for staff training, Achimugu clarified that the payments made were in respect of training in the 2023 calendar year. He explained that the foreign training component has not taken place because of the embargo on foreign travels by the Federal Government (FG), and assured that the foreign trainings will commence when the embargo is lifted.
Speaking on blocked funds by the Federal Government, Mr Achimugu explained that the situation was not peculiar to the NCAA, but that several agencies of government are experiencing the same thing, adding that in spite of the new Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and the 50 percent upfront deductions by the FG, NCAA has not stopped remitting funds into the TSA account. While noting that Najomo runs an open door policy, Achimugu urged media practitioners to always seek clarification from the Agency before going to press.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
