FG sacks NAMA,NIMET,NCAT, AIB heads; appoints new crew as Akinkuotu makes comeback

FEDERAL Government this afternoon sacked four heads of parastatals including the Acting Managing Director of  Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA), Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria and Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has approved the appointment of Captain Fola C. Akinkuotu as Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA ), Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi – Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Captain Abdulsalam Mohammed -Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria and Engr. Akinola Olateru – Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

In a statement from the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation; Sabiu Zakari for Minister of State (Aviation), Senator Hadi Sirika the sack  is with immediate effect while the appointment of the new heads takes effect.

Ag MD NAMA, Engineer Emma Ayansi was due  for retirement since December 2016 but did not go on it mandatory terminal leave, while the AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali was enmeshed in a running battle with the unions while the DG of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforum has been in office going to 10 years

However, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engineer Saleh Dunoma and the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Mukhar has been left untouched.

In the statement, Zakari described the incoming NAMA boss, Captain Akinkuotu as a seasoned Transport Pilot, Flight and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Airline Chief Executive and a trained Aviation Industry Regulator; He was also a former Director General of the NCAA and until this appointment was managing director of Aero Contractors.

While he said  Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi – Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), a Professor of Geography with specialty in Environmental Application of Remote Sensing is currently a Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Abuja

Capt. Mohammed , an alumnus of the NCAT, according to the statement is a renowned Civil Aviation Trainer and Examiner with accreditation by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Civil Aviation Administration(FCAA).

While  Olateru, an engineer of international repute and a trained Air Accident Manager and Certified Safety Officer with Aircraft Maintenance Engineering licenses in Nigeria, USA and the United Kingdom.