The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has reacted to a report published by DAILY NIGERIAN on the purchase of 2022 Toyota Landcruiser [70th Anniversary Edition] by the acting director general of the authority, Capt. Chris Najomo.
On Saturday, DAILY NIGERIAN reported how the vehicle was delivered to Mr Najomo in February with full option specifications.
But shortly after publishing the report on Saturday, Mr Najomo called our reporter on phone, threatening legal action against DAILY NIGERIAN.
Mr Najomo, while expressing his anger over the publication, said the vehicle was delivered to him by his car dealer friend in anticipation of approval.
“We haven’t paid for the vehicle, and I challenge you to provide proof. This vehicle was delivered to me by a friend, pending approval for payment.
“I don’t have an official vehicle because the former DG, Capt. Nuhu, left with the two Jeeps and only left behind an old Hilux. So do you expect me to be driving the Hilux despite being the director general?.
“The Hilux is not befitting of my status, and that was the reason a friend gave me this [Land Cruiser].
“We already have a proposal before the minister to buy new vehicles for me and all the directors. But we don’t have the approval yet.
“While I was director, I had better cars, so you don’t expect me to drive the Hilux now that I am the DG.
“That amount is above what I can approve.
“Your report, especially the headline, has assassinated my character, and you must take it down,” he threatened.
Insiders told DAILY NIGERIAN that the vehicle was “evacuated” from NCAA office on Monday, with its number plate concealed.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the NCAA director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimugu, dismissed DAILY NIGERIAN report as unsubstantiated.
He said: “I know for certain, and I am saying it for the record, that the NCAA has not paid any dime as payment for any vehicle anywhere in the world since Captain Najomo came to office.
“I challenge the person to present evidence, and I will tender my resignation. I am saying with every confidence that the NCAA has not paid any money for any vehicle anywhere.
“To purchase anything in NCAA, you must go through a process, and we have not gone through that process, so how do we purchase a N250 million vehicle? Also, do not forget that the figure is most likely above the purview of the DG to approve for himself.”
On the N1 billion overseas training for the 109 staff, Mr Achimugu said the training was suspended due to the presidential directives banning foreign trips.
“Due to the nature of the job of the NCAA, the staff always undergo training and re-training. Training has been approved and payments were made and the staff involved will go for the training when the time comes. What is delaying their trip for the training is the ban on foreign trips by the president. Once the ban is lifted, they will go for their training”, Mr Achimugu said.
On the issue of seized funds, the NCAA spokesperson said the issue of seized funds is not peculiar to NCAA alone, and all the aviation agencies have their money seized.
He added that despite the seizure, the NCAA still remits money to the federal government, which in turn deducts 50 percent and remit back to the agency.
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