Be patient, Reps urge Nigerians as Dana resumes flight

By OKEY NDIRIBE

ABUJA—House of Representatives has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians to remain patient as Dana Air resumed flight operations without fully addressing the concerns of the people after the crash of one of its aircraft which killed 156 Nigerians last June.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

It said: “The Committee on Aviation, House of Representatives, notes the displeasure and concerns of Nigerians over the resumption of flights by Dana Air.

Passengers on board Dana Air Abuja – Lagos flight shortly after take off

“Chairman of the Committee is particularly worried that all issues relating to the crash have not been resolved, including issues of compensation to victims, air safety and sundry issues.

“He, however advises Nigerians to be patient as the House of Representatives is committed to the safety of our airspace.”

The chairman promised that as soon as the House of Representatives resumed next week, the issue would be looked into.

“The concerns, displeasure and opinions of Nigerians will not be brushed aside,” it added.

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives last month adopted the report of the joint committee of the House and the Senate on Aviation, which investigated the crash and recommended the withdrawal of the air operating certificate of Dana Air.

The Joint Committee had also recommended that the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, be dismissed and prosecuted for negligence.