Caverton Not Managing Rivers Govt’s Aircraft — NCAA

[Shola Sholaz]

Controversy surrounding the status of the aircraft, Bombardier BD 700 Express jet owned by the Rivers State Government was further stoked, yesterday, as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, faulted the claim by Rivers State that the aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters.
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Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, had in a statement on Tuesday said the aircraft was being operated through Caverton Helicopters pending approval of importation licence by Minister of Aviation.
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She had explained that "request for licence was filed by the operator on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the Minister's office on September 4, 2012″
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The aviation regulatory agency, NCAA, however, said:  "Caverton Helicopters was not responsible for the management and operation of the Rivers State government's aircraft, the Bombardier Global Express 5000 with registration number N565RS".