BARELY 24 hours after the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren was removed from office by the Federal Government, a well of opposition has mounted over the action.
President Goodluck Jonathan, acting on recommendation from the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi, while announcing the NCAA chief 's removal said, "this is consequent to a careful consideration of Demuren's unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector.
But in his reaction, Assistant Secretary General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur said Demuren was removed for his uncompromising stance of safety and other issues that affected the aviation sector.
Also, President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, said: "What Nigeria has done is very immoral, what we would have done is to appreciate him. It shows that Nigeria actually kills his own heroes. We murder our own heroes; rather than appreciate them, we kill them. It is very sad, because I believe that Demuren has done a very good job. He should have been encouraged, he does not deserve to be disgraced the way they have done.
In the same vein, an aviation expert, Oluminde Ohunayo, said that Demuren exit was the end of an era. We can build on his legacies in the industry. We must not forget his footprints in elevating our safety status. The mode of exit is not appropriate but we must continue to elevate safety."
Speaking to The Guardian, former President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Obakpolor (rtd) said the manner of his removal was unfortunate, describing his contribution to the sector as phenomenal.
Also, an aviation analyst, Olumide Ohunayo described Demuren's removal as the end of an era. He called on whoever takes over to consolidate on the ex- NCAA boss' landmark achievement, stressing that safety must be made uppermost in the heart of his successor.
Before his removal, Demuren and the National Assembly had running battle over safety-related issues.
The Senate Committee on Aviation led by Senator Hope Uzodinma had blamed the crash on the NCAA's poor safety oversight even though preliminary investigations conducted by the Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB) did not find the agency guilty of any wrongdoing.
The House of Representatives had in January this year laid the blame for the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash at the door step of the NCAA and called for Demuren dismissal from service.
The legislators added that Demuren should also be prosecuted for criminal negligence.
The Guardian