Air crashes huge burden on Nigeria – Mark

[DT]

Senate President David Mark says the frequency of air disasters has become a huge burden on the country. Mark said this yesterday while lamenting what he regarded as the devastating death of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former National Security Adviser (NSA) General Andrew Azazi, and four others in a Navy helicopter crash Saturday in Bayelsa State.  In a statement by his spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described the incident as a national tragedy. "My heart goes to the nation, especially the families and friends of the victims. It is another sad moment for the nation. It is a huge burden," Mark said.

He called on aviation experts and the appropriate authorities to rise up to the challenge of preventing recurrence of air disasters in the country.

Also yesterday, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said aviation authorities should found a lasting solution to the spate of air crashes in the country.

Ndoma-Egba said Nigeria could not continue to lose some of its illustrious citizens to frequent air crashes in the country.

In his reaction, Senate Minority Leader George Akume lamented the death of Yakowa and Azazi.

Akume, in a statement yesterday, said the deceased were patriots whose services would forever be missed.

Daily Trust