According to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Kaduna State’s Zaria, two helicopters were sold at auction for $556,200,322 (N1.2 billion) due to underuse.
On Sunday in Zaria, Capt. Alkali Modibbo, the institution’s rector and chief executive officer, told reporters that the two Bell 206B-III model helicopters had been disposed of after carrying out the necessary due diligence.
In response to the approval and appraisal reports acquired from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, a Federal Government licensed auctioneer, was chosen to dispose of the afflicted helicopters, according to Modibbo.
He claims that the auctioneer paid the amounts of $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (a total of N1.2 billion) via FGN Remita receipts with the corresponding reference codes of 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098.
He noted that, in a letter dated December 13, 2022, and with the reference number NHQ:04/61/93/OPS/VOL. VII/23, the Nigerian Navy indicated interest in purchasing the two helicopters.
“I am instructed to extend the congratulations of the Chief of the Naval Staff to the Rector and Staff of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and to further express our interest to inspect the 2 Bell 206L – 3 (Long Range) helicopters that your organization is proposing to dispose of.”The Nigerian Navy is aware that the two Bell 206L-3 helicopters are currently being used far below capacity because there is no facility for training helicopter pilots.
The letter stated, in part, “I am to humbly inform the Rector that the NN operates a similar type of helicopter and hereby expresses its interest to inspect the helicopters for possible acquisition with a view to bolstering its operations toward ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment.”
Adeyemi Apata, Director of Tresmo Nigeria Limited, subsequently requested to be nominated as the NCAT auctioneer in a letter dated March 3, according to Modibbo.
In addition, the NCAT CEO reported that the Federal Ministry of Aviation had authorized the sale of the two Bell 206 helicopters in a letter dated March 15, 2023, allowing the college to purchase Basic Trainer Helicopters.
Again, to respect the law, the college sent a letter dated March 30, 2023 to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing asking for the Valuation Reports of the concerned helicopters.
According to Modibbo, this resulted in the appointment of Messrs. Tresmo as the auctioneer via NCAT.11/1204/VOL.1/043, dated April 6, 2023.
According to the NCAT Rector, the auctioneer also agreed to and carried out the sale of the helicopters through a letter dated April 7, 2023, written by Mr. Baba Malik, which also sent the sale’s N1.2 billion revenues to the Federal Government account.
In order to support the college’s training needs, he emphasized that proper diligence was observed when the two unused helicopters were put up for auction.