Why We Bought N225m Bulletproof Cars —NCAA Boss

The controversy trailing the procurement of N255 million worth of BMW armoured cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) continued yesterday with claims by the NCAA that the vehicles were purchased for operational purposes. The Director General of NCAA, Dr. Fola Akinkuotu, spoke on the purchase of the vehicles at a press conference in Abuja. Akinkuotu, who is at the centre of the controversy, said that apart from the vehicles being bought for operational purposes, provision was made for the purchase of the cars in the 2013 budget. 

The NCAA boss also admitted that the controversial vehicles were purchased at the rate of N255, 155, 000. He said that contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, the cars had customs fixed condition cost on them. The NCAA DG noted that the press conference became necessary in the light of the media reports about the procurement of two BMW 760 LI amoured steel cars for the NCAA. Akinkuotu said: “The cars are operational vehicles used in the various operations of the NCAA transporting the Minister and aviation related foreign dignitaries as part of its operations. “In the light on the media reports circumstances surrounding the procurement of two (2) BMW 760 LI amoured steel cars for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). “First, I will state that aviation is a global industry. The NCAA, a regulatory agency, very often plays host to international civil aviation bodies like ICAO, IATA, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Africa Airline Association (AFA), African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), The Banjul Accord Group (BAG), Civil Air Navigation Service Organisations (CANSO), Airport Council International (ACI), among several others.

 “It is internationally customary to convey our Minister and these foreign dignitaries in a security vehicle whenever they are in Nigeria. It must be noted that during such visitation, the security of the members of the delegations is the sole responsibility of the host country. “The vehicles are therefore in the pool of the NCAA for these special assignments and are available at the NCAA office and can be shown to you.” Akinkuotu said it was not the first time the agency would procure such high-security vehicles for the aforementioned purposes, adding that all the necessary procurement processes were followed. “The NCAA,” he said, “remains focused on enforcing standards and promoting safety in line with ICAO and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARS) and continues to perform its critical functions and the appropriate resources required for discharging these functions exist within and under the control of NCAA.

 “We are however shocked to note that online media platforms (paparazzi) are now the sources of information for some mainstream media. We assure that the NCAA is available and will continue to be available to give clarification and further information whenever required.” Wondering how the information about the acquisition leaked to the public, he said:: “I don’t know the source of the leak (sic). I issued a circular to all the staff, GM, Directors and Legal, and I will just read just a little bit. “Without prejudice to the nature and content of the document and the purpose of their existence, leakage and ultimate publication is a matter of great concern to the authority. “By the nature of our work and statutory provision, certain level of documents, processes and integrity are required for our successful day to day operation. For instance, the Civil Aviation Act made specific provisions with respect to our obligations for our confidentiality and restricted access to certain information that we procure in the conduct of our statutory functions. “I am not saying this particular information cannot be put in public premises, but how it is obtained. 

If somebody breaks into somebody’s office, made copies of official documents, is the breaking act not criminal? “So, we are in the process of trying to find the source of this leak and I am very concerned about it because this information may look trivial but there are other information we have that are confidential.” On the high cost of the cars, he said: “There are three factors that might decide. I am not speaking on behalf of the persons who put up the paper or the persons who cost it or the persons who sold it. But first of all, each car you buy has a custom features aspect to it. “Were they budgeted for? Yes. I don’t know the cost of the President’s car and I can’t relate it to this.” The NCAA DG added that it is only Coscharis Motors that can sell the brand of cars in the country. The Nation report.