The embattled Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr. Harold Demuren, has finally been ignominiously shown the door. Citing failure of leadership, alleged nonchalance and “unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the Aviation Sector,” President Goodluck Jonathan ordered Demuren’s dismissal, with immediate effect; a move most Aviation observers said, was long overdue.
A statement signed by Sam Nwaobasi; Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary of the Government of the Federal Government (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, on behalf of the Federal Government, said it was as a result of “consideration of Dr. Demuren’s unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the Aviation Sector”
It reads further: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the removal of Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren from Office as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with effect from 12th March 2013.This is consequent to a careful consideration of Dr. Demuren’s unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the Aviation Sector. Mr. President wishes him well in his future endeavors,” it concludes.
It would be recalled that the National Assembly had early this year moved for the removal of Dr. Demuren and Engr. Suleiman Akwuh, an Inspector in the NCAA, from office for professional negligence that led to the crash of a Dana Airline aircraft that killed over 160 people in Lagos. They were also accused of incompetence. The Senate had also demanded their sack following some findings indicting them in the aftermath of the crash.
The Senate and House joint committee that investigated the crash, found Demuren guilty of criminal negligence that resulted in the June 3, 2012 air crash. The Committee led by led by Senator Hope Uzodimma found among other remote causes, that the aircraft was not air-worthy. The legislators called the aircraft an old generation air craft (MD83) that has been decommissioned by the manufacturer and phased out by many airlines.
The lawmakers found out that Dana airline had no credible insurance certificate as there was no evidence to authenticate its claim that it was insured. The committee also found out that the N200 billion Aviation Intervention Fund was only used to refinance existing facility with banks instead of improving the services of airlines in Nigeria.
During the consideration of the committee reports, most of the committee members were unanimous on the rot in the aviation sector and blamed Demuren for failure of leadership. It remains to be seen whether the President will continue up the chain of command and sack the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, who has been presiding over the rot in the aviation sector.
