Lagos
26 April 2007
Lagos — The Federal Government has been commended for its decision to acquire two ATR42 Maritime Aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force,to enhance its capability in policing Nigeria's resources at sea.
The commendations were made last week in Abuja during the inspection of one of the Aircrafts by service Chiefs at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, as part of the 2007 Nigerian Air Force Day.
The new Aircraft has the capacity for offshore patrol, search and rescue, anti- pollution surveillance, fishery protection, anti-submarine warfare and anti- smuggling. It carries two set of crew with all facilities on board for them to perform their duty over the long period at sea. The ATR 42 is quite popular with the civil air transport industry as well as the military for various configurations.
Expressing happiness over the Government decision to acquire the Aircraft, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Jona Wuyep (rtd.) said: "I am happy that something is being done to provide us with the Maritime Patrol Aircraft, being one of the Maritime Countries in the world. An Aircraft like this can be used to tackle illegal activities going on in the riverine areas. I support the acquisition; at least progress is being made in that area."
Also throwing his weight behind the purchase of the Aircraft described by Aviation Experts as a very modern and very popular Aircraft world wide, Air vice Marshall Anthony Okpere, (rtd) a former Minister of Aviation said the Federal Government decision to purchase ATR 42 aircraft, was a good omen for the Country.
"It is an Aircraft I am very familiar with because it's the civilian version of it we were to get for Nigerian Airways in those days. However, the difference is that this one has been equipped for Maritime operation and it is something that is new in the Country. Mind you, 99.9 per cent of our income is derived from the sea and with the acquisition of the Aircraft, activities going on in some areas bordering on illegal bunkering, smuggling of arms and other nefarious activities would be stopped."
According to him, "the Aircraft has a very good endurance; it can patrol over the sea for over eight hours."
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