The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of 2.29 billion naira for the assemblage of light aircraft at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria in Kaduna State.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this to journalists after the FEC meeting chaired by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Sirika explained that the renewed demand for the spin recovery aircraft necessitated the production of the light aircraft which he said is durable for the training of military and civilian pilots.
He noted that the first set of the assembled aircraft is expected to fly within the last four months of the Buhari regime.
On why the government chose Zaria as the assembling base, he said that the existing college of aviation provides a ready facility which will save the cost of building another, adding that situating the plant in Zaria further expands the capacity of NCAT as a federal government agency.
The minister also revealed that the FEC approved N546.11 million for the procurement and installation of Category IIIC landing system in 15 airports nationwide.
He stated that the installation will begin from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Katsina Airport.
The minister added that the Cat IIIC landing system enables pilots to land in zero-visibility conditions.
Commenting on the Nigeria Air which is presently in court, Sirika expressed the hope that the project will continue and nothing will stall its take off, to potentially improve the economy, make the sector more efficient as well as better integrate Nigeria with the rest of Africa.
