By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), has commended the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, for its readiness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to airlift its staff and logistics before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The Defence Minister gave the commendation during the roll-out ceremony of C-130 Hercules aircraft (NAF918) on Wednesday at the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot, NAF, Ikeja, Lagos.
Maj Gen Magashi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said he was pleased to recognize NAF’s preparations towards the forthcoming elections. This, he said was exemplified by the timely completion of the in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance, PDM, of the NAF C-130H aircraft to boost its airlift capacity to support INEC.
A statement made available on Thursday by Air Commodore Wap Maigida, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, said the minister congratulated the NAF for the technical breakthrough, noting that it further demonstrates the Service quest for capacity development and self-reliance in equipment maintenance.
He said the achievement is an indication that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has enormous potentials for technical capacity development in- country ventures.
He further disclosed that Government has placed orders for the acquisition of airlift, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft as well as ground attack, advanced jet training and combat multi-role helicopters for the NAF.
These additional platforms, he said, would further boost the Service operational capabilities.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao stated that the roll-out ceremony of the C-130H aircraft resonates with his vision to enhance and sustain NAF critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives.
“The platform could not have been reactivated at a better time, as the NAF is now better positioned to support INEC to airlift electoral staff and logistics in the forthcoming general elections. It is on this note that we welcome NAF 918 back to operational readiness to achieve its logistics assignment,” the CAS stressed.
He further remarked that in-country periodic maintenance has improved NAF aircraft serviceability, and has significantly reduced maintenance cost of carrying out such maintenance overseas, while conserving foreign exchange for the country.
Air Marshal Amao averred that the NAF aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians involved in the PDM project are more exposed to the requisite expertise and high quality maintenance practices.
He revealed that the aircraft have been test-flown by NAF pilots who confirmed that the engines, instruments and avionics parameters are within standard safety limits.
He maintained that the NAF C-130 fleet have since fulfilled troops and logistics airlift roles in several combat and humanitarian operations within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Amao assured that deliberate efforts are being made to improve aircraft serviceability across all the aircraft fleets in the NAF.
