Plane crash: No Boeing 737 MAX operating in Nigeria – Sirika

…Says no cause for concern

By Ukpono Ukpong

In a bid to allay the fears of Nigerians following the unfortunate crash of the Ethiopian airline, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said that no Boeing 737 Max is currently operating within the Nigerian airspace.

While commiserating with the Ethiopian aviation authorities as well as those who lost their loved ones, including two distinguished Nigerians, the minister in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs to the ministry, James Odaudu, reassured the Nigerian flying public of the unalloyed commitment of the Buhari’s administration to the creation of an environment that guarantees their safety and security in air transportation.

He also noted that the industry regulator in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has issued the necessary advisory as it relates to the country and there was no cause for alarm.

“We identify and commiserate with the Ethiopian aviation authorities those who have lost loved ones, including two distinguished Nigerians, in their moment of grief.

“As we continue to mourn the ET crash in Addis, and pray for the victims, we wish to reassure Nigerians that we do not have any Boeing 737 Max on Nigeria’s register to worry about. Civil Aviation Authority has issued the needed advisory, please.

“Aviation is one the world over, and any accident anywhere is a tragedy to the global aviation industry.

“We pray for the repose of the souls of the victims of the air mishap.” He said