The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive audit of aircraft in the fleets of the Presidency and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to determine their serviceability and airworthiness following the October 5 crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State.
The Senate and House of Representatives also demanded a thorough investigation into the crash, improved funding for aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing planes to prevent further air disasters.
The demands followed the crash of NAF 931, an ATR-42 aircraft, in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which killed 25 people, including five crew members.
The aircraft was flying from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it reportedly lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 a.m. before crashing.
The Senate resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Ngwu, who drew the attention of lawmakers to the tragedy and called for measures to prevent a recurrence.
In the motion, Ngwu urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to conduct a “thorough, transparent and comprehensive investigation” into the immediate, root and remote causes of the crash and make their findings public.
He also called on the Senate Committees on the Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage NAF authorities and conduct a holistic audit of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
“I urge the Federal Government to prioritise funding for the regular maintenance and replacement of ageing aircraft in the civilian and military fleets to safeguard the lives of our aviation personnel,” the motion stated.
The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, backed the motion, stressing the need to establish the operational readiness of aircraft in the Air Force fleet.
“It is high time our relevant committees, particularly the Committee on the Air Force, conducted a comprehensive audit to determine the serviceability and operational readiness of aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet and establish their airworthiness,” Monguno said.
He warned that the exercise was necessary to prevent a recurrence of military aviation accidents, which he described as a “recurring decimal” involving the Air Force fleet.
The Senate commiserated with the families of the victims and observed a minute’s silence in their honour. Similarly, the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the crash and audit aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet.
The decision followed a motion moved by Kabiru Rurum, Chairman of the House Committee on the Air Force.
The House also called for improved funding to ensure proper aircraft maintenance, underscoring the need for measures to safeguard military personnel and strengthen aviation safety.
