Caverton Helicopters: No Conflict Between Wike And FG – Sirika
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said that there is no conflict between Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Government.
This is in a reaction to arrest of the pilots of Caverton Helicopters detained by the Rivers State Government for flying into the state despite lockdown orders.
Responding to a question on the subject during Friday’s briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, the minister said the pilots were carrying out a national assignment.
READ: All Hands Must Be on Deck to Help Fight Coronavirus, Dangote Says
“The speech by the SGF and the presidential address exempted oil and gas from the lockdown or shutdown in national interest.
“And these Caverton Helicopters’ pilots were flying into the military base on national assignment.
“Of course, I may not be learned but I am lettered and I understand, in this case, there is no conflict between the federal and state laws but I will not argue that on this platform. It is unnecessary.
On whether the governor ought to know if the exempted Caverton flight would be landing in a military base in Port Harcourt belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, Sirika said he did not need to know.
“That is answer number one. Answer number two, regarding the pilots, the pilots will soon be released, rescued and there will not be any conviction hanging on their necks,” he added.
Sirika further noted that base on the constitutional provision and the powers of the President, the seriousness of this task force, the danger of COVID-19, and the way civil aviation and military aviation is operate, he said the air force officer who called the governor when the chopper landed on his property acted ignorantly.
READ: COVID-19 Nigeria Update Today
“Also, the federal police who made the arrest within the premises of the military acted ignorantly as well. And I said they exhibited incompetence.
“This matter should not be over-flogged. The Federal Government is there for the 200 million people of Nigeria, regardless of whether you are from Rivers or Cross River, Kano or Kaduna,” he added.
