The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has ordered an immediate investigation into the use of an unauthorized equipment by Aero Contractors Airlines to disembark passengers from a charter flight to Bauchi on Saturday.
Sirika who made the statement in a press release signed by his Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, James Odaudu, said the act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
“Several reports received by the Honourable Minister have indicated the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015. The act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
“The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a reoccurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury.”
Sirika said if the airline is found culpable, the full weight of sanctions within extant laws and regulations would be applied on it.
He assured the traveling public that the Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will ensure strict adherence to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations as well as ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices by all operators.
He said the ministry will not be found wanting in its responsibility to ensure safe and secure air transport services.
