By LAWANI MIKAIRU

The Federal Government, through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, weekend explained the recent controversy surrounding the appointment   of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN,   Director of Finance,   Mr. Tochuku Bede Uchendu. It was reported by a section of the media that he was   sacked by the Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka   because he granted an unauthourised waivers worth over N1 billion.

From left Mr Christophe Pennick, Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd; Mr Wale Babalakin, Chairman; Chief Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation and Mr Kayode Odukoya, MD, First Nation Airways

Explaining the Federal Government’s position to newsmen, General Manager Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said that Mr. Uchendu was only asked to wait for the conclusion of all formalities regarding his appointment as Director in FAAN.

This misinformation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation may have resulted to the recent redeployment of the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Mohammed Abbas, to the Federal Civil Service Commission and his replacement with Hajia Binta Bello, who is the current Permanent Secretary of the Aviation Ministry.

Dati said “On his appointment, Mr. Uchendu was only asked to wait for the conclusion of all formalities (due process). That process is still on-going”. He also   debunked the story in the media alleging that the   Minister of Aviation had sacked   Mr. Tochuku   Uchendu over irregularities in his appointment and the granting of unauthourised waivers worth over one billion naira by him.

According to him “The Authority hereby wishes to state that the story in question was not only false but also malicious as Mr. Uchendu’s appointment was neither irregular nor did he ever grant waiver to any FAAN customer, not to talk of waiver amounting to over one billion naira” “The Director of Finance of the Authority does not have the power to grant waiver to any customer.

On his appointment, Mr. Uchendu was only asked to wait for the conclusion of all formalities (due process). That process is still on-going . We therefore urge members of the public to discountenance the said story” he added.

It would be recalled that two aviation unions, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, and National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, had written   a petition to the head of service of the federation calling   for the sack of   two directors in FAAN for irregularities in their appointments by the Aviation minister. One of the directors is Mr Tochuku Bede Uchendu