The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, refutes allegations suggesting that the ministry intends to transfer a firefighting simulator from the Nigerian College of Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Lagos State.
In a statement dated March 3, 2023, by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, on Keyamo’s official X account on Monday, it was revealed that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has addressed the issue.
The statement, titled ‘Aviation Ministry Refutes Unsubstantiated Rumour Regarding Movement Of Fire-Fighting Simulator From Zaria To Lagos,’ emphasized that the minister dismissed the rumor as the work of mischief-makers aiming to disrupt national progress.
He emphasized that the rumor lacks any credibility, as the source, a member of the House of Representatives, cited an unsubstantiated plan by the ministry to relocate the fire-fighting simulator from the Nigerian College of Technology in Zaria to Lagos State.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been drawn to a video making the rounds of a motion moved on the floor of the House of Representatives by an Honourable member making reference to an unsubstantiated plan by the ministry to move a fire-fighting simulator out of the Nigerian College of Technology, Zaria to Lagos State and urging the House to restrain the move.
“The rumour is nothing but pure mischief by agents of destabilisation and is untrue. Whilst we acknowledge the patriotism of the House entertaining the motion, we think it was totally unnecessary since the Speaker already had a private audience with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development a few days ago when this issue came up and the minister assured Mr. Speaker that there was no iota of truth in the rumour.
“The minister further put a call to the Rector of the school who re-assured Mr Speaker that it was an unfounded rumour and purely a mischief. So, why the motion?
“We urge the public to disregard any such rumour and it amounts to grandstanding by anyone still trying to make political gains out of nothing.”
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expressed deep concern on Sunday regarding the alleged plans to move simulation equipment from the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State.
In a statement issued by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, Director of Publicity and Advocacy/Spokesperson for the NEF, on Sunday, commendation was given to the House of Representatives for its firm opposition to the proposed relocation, particularly given recent transfers of crucial departments from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos.
Suleiman highlighted that these actions raise serious apprehensions about a deliberate attempt to undermine federal institutions situated in Northern Nigeria.