The Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria has revealed that it spent N5bn on the maintenance of two redundant helicopters for about 10 years.
Rector of NCAT, Captain Akali Modibo, who made this disclosure while fielding questions from the media at the just concluded Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition held in Abuja recently, said it cost the institution N500m annually to service the helicopters, which were eventually auctioned by the Federal Government.
He debunked the news that made rounds recently that the two helicopters were missing from the College while pointing out that aeroplanes do not go missing but take off and land.
According to him, because the helicopters have to be serviceable, the institution embarked on maintenance of the two for about 10 years which was a waste because they were neither used for training nor to source any revenue.