NCAT Auctions Two Helicopters for $556.2m
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Bell 206 Jet Ranger
Management of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, Kaduna State, under the leadership of the Rector, Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo, did succeed in auctioning two grossly underutilized Bell helicopters model, Bell 206B – III.
According to a media chat granted by the Rector, Capt. Modibbo, the auctioning from conception to the final stage of selling followed the entire procurement procedures to the letter, as the buy-in of the supervisory ministry, Aviation, and Aerospace, was sought and the ministry in turn escalated the auction decision to the works ministry which came in to ascertain due process before the deal was closed in terms of valuation and payment to the nation’s treasury.
The report by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quoted Capt. Modibbo had elucidated that, a Federal Government licensed auctioneer, Messrs. Tresmo Nigeria Limited, was appointed to dispose of the two helicopters sequel to the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Federal Ministry of Works respectively.
Modibbo said the auctioneer paid $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (totaling N1.2bn) vide FGN Remita receipts bearing reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, accordingly.
He added that the Nigerian Navy expressed interest to acquire the two helicopters via a letter dated 13th December 2022, with Ref. No: NHQ:04/61/93/OPS/VOL. VII/23.
The Nigerian Navy letter of expression of interest in the helicopters read in parts, “I am directed to convey the compliments of the Chief of the Naval Staff to the Rector and Staff of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria, and to further Express our interest to inspect the 2 Bell 206L – 3 (Long Range) helicopters proposed to be disposed of by your organization.
“The Nigerian Navy (NN) is aware that the 2 Bell 206L – 3 helicopters are currently grossly underutilized due to non-training of helicopter pilots at the facility.
“I am to respectfully 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 towards ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment”.
Consequently, the Director of Tresmo Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adeyemi Apata, applied to be appointed as the auctioneer for NCAT vide a letter dated 3rd March 2023, Modibbo revealed.
Furthermore, the NCAT Chief Executive said that the Federal Ministry of Aviation in a letter dated 15th March 2023, granted approval for the disposal of the two Bell 206 helicopters to enable the college to acquire another Basic Trainer Helicopters.
Again, in further compliance with due process, the college obtained the Valuation Reports of the affected helicopters from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing via a letter dated 30th March 2023.
This culminated in the engagement of Messrs. Tresmo as the auctioneer vide NCAT.11/1204/VOL.1/043, dated 6th April 2023, Modibbo stated.
The NCAT Rector added that the auctioneer also accepted and executed the disposal of the helicopters via a letter signed by Mr. Baba Malik on 7th April 2023, which also remitted the proceeds of N1.2 billion into the Federal Government account.
He, therefore, affirmed that due diligence was followed in the auctioning of the two unutilized helicopters and possibly to enable the proceeds to be used in acquiring another type to boost the training needs of the college.
NAN
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Due diligence was followed in the auctioning of the underutilised helicopters right, but why did the NCAT management decided to procured the helicopters that were not needed for its operations?