Director General of NCAA removed from office

Aviation Minister

Dr Harold Demuren has been removed from office as the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The approval is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by Mr Sam Nwaobasi, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The removal is with immediate effect, as approval was made by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dr Harold Demuren was brought into office in 2005 after two fatal air disasters in a 7 weeks span leaving the nation mourning. The two incidents were Bellview Airlines flight 210 that killed all 117 people on board on October 22, and Sosoliso Airlines flight 1145 that killed 105 of 108 passengers, including 61 students from Loyola Jesuit College on December 10, 2005.

Demuren worked to ensure the subsequent loss of confidence in the aviation sector. The statement said the removal followed “a careful consideration of Demuren’s unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector”.

The statement ended with President Jonathan wishing the late DG well in his future endeavours. 

GAT: Stakeholders Commend Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has been commended by Aviation Stakeholders over the commissioning of the world class General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The stakeholders described the commissioning as a great step in aviation development in Nigeria, and rare feat by the minister.

In a press statement over the weekend in Jos, signed by Capt James Dund Sha and Eng Abdullahi Menta, coordinators of the stakeholders group, they called on minister to continue in her redemptive rescue mission as the industry is witnessing a new rebirth.

Promising to support the transformational strides of the minister, they further appealed for the completion of other airports scheduled for commissioning.

According to the statement, "we have visited several airports undergoing remodeling and the quality of work is commendable. We appeal for the quick completion of the remaining airports so that the full benefits of the exercise will be maximized.”