Following a report that three helicopters purchased under the administration of the ex-Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode are no where to be found, the Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Mr Tayo Ayinde; the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Sam Egube; Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins and the management of Lagos State Security Trust Fund over the whereabout and usage of the three helicopters belonging to the state government.
Raising the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance during plenary yesterday, the Chief Whip of the Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Miranda, stated that the offices and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in-charge of the helicopters should be written to and that the Assembly should know the agreement between the state government and Caverton Helicopters managing the helicopters.
According to Miranda, “If you may recall, in 2007, the House of Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) for the state government to equip and strengthen the security agencies in the state.
“In 2015, three helicopters were bought by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s government to strengthen security in the state, but the helicopters are nowhere to be found now.
“I will want us to look at it and get the concerned parties to tell the Assembly the location of the three helicopters to see if they are just lying unused or if the state government has entered into an agreement with an entity on the equipment and see to what extent the agreement has been working.”
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, pointed out that the helicopters were meant for dual purposes, and that they were meant to be used for security and for commercial purposes.
He said the House should know what had accrued to the state from the helicopters so far, adding that it was the first time the Assembly would be talking about the equipment.
“We need to know what has happened to the helicopters”, the Speaker said.
He directed that the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni writes all relevant offices and MDAs to give account on the procurement and maintenance of the three helicopters.