Aviation ministry has no plan to move fire-fighting simulator dept to Lagos, says Kayamo

Kunle Sanni

The Ministry of Aviation has dismissed claims of a purported plan to relocate a department of fire-fighting simulator out of the Nigerian College of Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State to Lagos State.

The disclaimer was made in a statement issued on Monday by Tunde Moshood, a spokesperson for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Keyamo said this in reaction to a video making the rounds of a motion moved on the floor of the House of Representatives by a member making reference to said claims.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had also expressed concern over the purported planned relocation of the department saying the relocation of the firefighting simulator from NCAT is troubling given the institution’s long-standing history and pivotal role in the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

In reaction, Keyamo described the claims as “nothing but pure mischief by agents of destabilisation” and he noted that the allegations were totally untrue.

He said,“The rumour is nothing but pure mischief by agents of destabilisation and is totally untrue.

“Whist we acknowledge the patriotism of the House entertaining the Motion, we think it was totally unnecessary since the Speaker already had a private audience with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development few days ago when this issue came up and the Minister assured Mr. Speaker that there was NO IOTA of truth in the rumour.

“The Minister further put a call to the Rector of the school who re-assured Mr. Speaker that it was an unfounded rumour and purely a mischief. So, why the motion?”