(HPOTO) MINISTER PROBE INTO USE OF LADDER AT BAUCHI AIRPORT

(HPOTO) MINISTER PROBE INTO USE OF LADDER AT BAUCHI AIRPORT

The  Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has directed an immediate investigation into the use of an unauthorized equipment by Aero Contractors Airlines at the conclusion of a charter flight to Bauchi over the weekend.

This is just as one of the ground handling companies, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company ( NAHCO) Plc said it is was not involved in the incident because it does not operate at Bauchi Airport .
The minister spoke through the deputy director in charge of press and public affairs in the ministry, Mr James Odaudu.

Several reports received by the Minister have indicated that the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the  Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015.
According to the Minister, the act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a reoccurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury.

He reiterated that if the airline is found culpable, the full weight of sanctions within extant laws and regulations would be applied on it.