Segun Adeyemi

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<h2>The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted allegations surrounding the airworthiness of a helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt last Friday, October 25.</h2>

The NCAA called recent reports by an online outlet, Sahara Reporters, “misleading,” clarifying that the helicopter had a valid airworthiness certificate and had not been scrapped.

In a statement, Acting Director-General Captain Chris Najomo expressed the NCAA’s concerns, stating, “The attention of the Authority has been brought to a report by Sahara Reporters on the airworthiness status of the recently crashed helicopter with registration marks 5N-BQG prior to the crash.”

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/8-feared-killed-as-helicopter-crashes-in-rivers/enxerlk">8 feared killed as helicopter crashes in Rivers</a>

He emphasised that the helicopter, owned by EASTWIND Aviation Logistics Services Limited, was fully certified.

Najomo explained that the confusion may have stemmed from Sahara Reporters’ apparent conflation of two different aircraft records.

According to Najomo, while the helicopter that crashed had registration 5N-BQG and Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 760486, another helicopter with a similar model had a different registration history.

The latter aircraft, registered as 5N-BGN with Aero Contractors, was deregistered in 2009 and relocated to Canada.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/nnpcl-personnel-aboard-crashed-helicopter-in-rivers-spokesman/mz74z8m">NNPCL personnel aboard crashed helicopter in Rivers - Spokesman</a>

“It is important to state that aircraft can be tracked not only by their registration marks but also by their Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN),” he noted.

Najomo’s statement also detailed the operational history of the helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, initially registered in 2012 and last transferred to EASTWIND Aviation Logistics Services Limited in February 2024.

He reiterated that Sahara Reporters’ claim was based on incorrect information, adding, “Sahara Reporters could not clearly differentiate the records of the recently crashed helicopter with MSN 760486 and the Aero Contractors’ de-registered aircraft with MSN 760468.”

Local authorities and aviation safety agencies are expected to launch a formal investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the tragic helicopter crash in Akwa Ibom. [Getty Images]

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted allegations surrounding the airworthiness of a helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt last Friday, October 25.

NCAA refute claims on crashed helicopter’s airworthiness

<h2>The National Democratic and Change Coalition (NDCC) has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to refund state funds allegedly spent without approval, following a Federal High Court ruling. </h2>

The court recently ordered a freeze on further disbursements to Rivers State due to alleged constitutional violations in the state's budget process.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja found that Governor Fubara's presentation of<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/court-stops-cbn-allocations-to-rivers-govt-over-fubaras-budget-violations/6dlg1pw"> the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly was constitutionally invalid. </a>

As a result, the court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and Rivers State accounts at Zenith Bank and Access Bank from releasing further funds to the state.

Reacting to the decision, the NDCC lauded Justice Abdulmalik for what they described as a "landmark judgement."

NDCC President John Uloko, in a statement, asserted that the ruling vindicates Rivers State residents.

He noted, "Since January 2024, Rivers State has received and spent allocations based on an 'illegitimate' budget—a constitutional aberration. This ruling upholds democracy and teaches rogue governors a bitter lesson in constitutional respect."

The NDCC, a coalition of legal professionals, further criticised Governor Fubara's reliance on a four-member Assembly.

Uloko emphasised, "Allowing four members to constitute a 32-member House of Assembly defies both logic and the constitution."

The coalition demanded that Governor Fubara reverse all decisions made under the disputed Assembly, calling it a "theatre of the absurd."

They urged the Governor to resubmit the state budget to a fully constituted Rivers State House of Assembly to ensure due process.

The statement urged, "Governor Fubara must respect the Constitution and let Rivers State breathe by halting unnecessary political strife."&nbsp;

The National Democratic and Change Coalition (NDCC) has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to refund state funds allegedly spent without approval, following a Federal High Court ruling.

Rivers Crisis: Fubara told to refund illegally spent funds after court ruling

<h2>The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has confirmed the helicopter accident that occurred near Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 24 involving a Sikorsky SK76, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean at around 11:22 am. </h2>

Pulse Nigeria reports that the helicopter, <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/8-feared-killed-as-helicopter-crashes-in-rivers/enxerlk">operated by East Wind Aviation</a>, was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig when it ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima.

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, eight people were on board the aircraft. So far, three bodies have been recovered, with search and rescue efforts ongoing.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified, and emergency response teams, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies, have been activated.

Despite the absence of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, authorities have deployed military support and low-flying aircraft to assist in locating potential survivors.

"We are using all available resources to plot the location of the accident and rescue survivors," the statement read.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2024 PRESS STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE DEVELOPMENT, FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, ON THE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A HELICOPTER IN PORT HARCOURT ON 24TH OCTOBER, 2024 The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the…&mdash; Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/fkeyamo/status/1849457423481717166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Pulse Nigeria gathered that Keyamo is personally overseeing the rescue operations, ensuring coordination between all involved agencies.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to minimizing casualties," said the minister in a statement.

The Ministry has pledged ongoing support for the families of those affected by this tragic incident.

Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo [Arise News]

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has confirmed the helicopter accident that occurred near Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 24 involving a Sikorsky SK76, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean at around 11:22 am.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirms helicopter crash in Rivers

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