Legislators Demand Status of 3 Helicopters Owned By Lagos Govt
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The Lagos State House of Assembly has demanded explanation on the where about of the three helicopters belonging to the state government.
Request for the helicopters’ where about was raised during a plenary, and sequel to the Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by the Chief Whip of the House, Mrs Mojisola Miranda.
The House, therefore, summoned some key government officials for clarification to the Assembly, the existing agreement between the state and Caverton Helicopters, believed to be the managers of the helicopters.
Lagos state government officials summoned were Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde; Commissioners for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube; Special Duties Commissioner, Seye Oladejo, and management of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF)
“Recall that in 2007, Lagos House of Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) for the state government to equip and strengthen the security agencies in the state.
“Three helicopters were bought to strengthen security in the state. But, the helicopters are nowhere to be found now.
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“I will want us to look at it and get the concerned parties to tell the House the location of the three helicopters to see if they are just lying fallow.
“If the state government has entered into an agreement with an entity on the equipment, let’s see to what extent the agreement has been working,” Miranda said.
The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, revealed that the helicopters were meant for security and for commercial purposes. He added that the House should know the amount that had accrued to the state from the helicopters so far.
Mudashiru Obasa also straightened the view point of some who felt the issue ought not to be raised on the floor of the house by declaring that, “What we have said so far has nothing to do with the image of the state or the assembly. What the Chief Whip has done is not too much. We need to know what has happened to the helicopters,” he said.
Honourable Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu I), in his contribution took members down the memory lane when he recalled that the House had approved the purchase of two helicopters during the era of former Gov. Babatunde Fashola.
Olowo said the House learnt that the state had an agreement with Caverton Nigeria Limited to partially commercialize operations of the helicopters on behalf of the state government. He added that it was important to know how the three helicopters had been managed so far.
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Also speaking, Hon Fatai Mojeed, (Ibeju Lekki I) said the assets were purchased for security purposes and to generate money for the state government. He added that the, House needed to know what had happened to the helicopters and urged that a committee should be set up to look into the matter.
Corroborating, hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) said the helicopters should be at the reach of the state for security, probity and accountability.
Hon. Rotimi Abiru, (Shomolu II), said that the assembly ought to have approached the office of the Chief of Staff over the helicopters before bringing it to plenary.
Another lawmaker, Olawale Olayiwola (Mushin II), noted that it was important to call the attention of the state government to the matter. He said the House needed to know the whereabouts of the helicopters.
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