The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has debunked reports in a local medium insinuating that the Authority was responsible for the last two plane crashes in the country.
It said that the report was calculated smear campaign meant to cast assertion on the hard earned reputation of NCAA.
The Authority in a statement issued by the Authority and signed by Sam Adurogboye, deputy general manager, Public Affairs, noted: “We are constrained to react to a report titled: NCAA responsiblefor last two air crashes in Nigeria, as published on page 24 of Thisday newspapers of Friday of January 10. 2014 .
“To say the least, this is not only a misleading report meant to cast aspersion on the hard earned reputation of NCAA, but also a wicked insinuation calculated to rubbishing the good record of the Authority in the eyes of the flying public.
“It is a known fact that the two unfortunate accidents are still under investigation and the universal laid down practice is that premature conclusion of this nature are in consequent until the final report of the Accident Investigation Bureau [AIB] is ready.
“For some anonymous ”Industry Operators” to now be quoted as attributing the two accident to NCAA is quite unprofessional and unbecoming of Thisday newspapers, a news outlet that is expected to act as an unbiased umpire in the reportage of the sector. More so, the newspaper did not revert the NCAA before going ahead to publish the atrocious publication which smacks of prejudice.
“The Authority’s oversight capabilities are never in doubt. This has earned Nigeria the prestigious Category One status of the American Federal Aviation Administration[FAA] in its International Aviation Safety Assessment[IASA]”.
He added that before the attainment of Category One, NCAA has successfully subjected itself to the International Civil Aviation Organization[ICAO] audit known as Comprehensive Total System Check and came out in flying colours.
“For an organization whose Safety Roadmap has been recommended to other countries in Africa to be painted in this manner is preposterous.
“We are therefore using this medium to ask that the newspaper takes urgent steps to correct the erroneous impression; otherwise we will be left with no other option than to seek legal redress.
“It is needless to say that our doors are opened to the public, particularly the media for verification of information before going to the press.
“The authority is however committed to enforcement of compliance to safety regulations and violation will be viewed seriously,” the Authority said.