The All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] received the news of the crash of a naval helicopter in the forest of Okoroba, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Saturday, which killed Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and the former National Security Adviser, Retired General Andrew Azazi and four others, with deep shock and concern. Needless to say, this is a great loss to the whole nation, and a sad statement on the nation’s air transport.
We join the good people of Kaduna State, Bayelsa State, and the family and friends of the deceased to mourn at this hour of sorrow. This is indeed a sad moment for Nigeria.
At this distressing hour for the bereaved families, there could be nothing more comforting to them than a thorough investigation into the cause or causes of the accident, and the unraveling of the mystery behind the Navy Agusta helicopter crash and other plane crashes in the country. As human beings it will go a long way in giving them vent for their pain and a sense of equanimity that such disaster would not happen again.
The ANPP calls on the appropriate authorities to use this moment to reflect on its air navigation operation and best practices, with a view to plugging any lapse in the sector to avoid future mishaps. Therefore, a quick and conclusive job by the investigative panel just set up by the Nigerian Navy into the Saturday tragedy will help to restore confidence in the masses and also blaze the trail for aviation operations’ best practices in the country.
Signed:
Hon Emma Eneukwu
National Publicity Secretary
ANPP
