Abia North Senator, Orji Kalu, has raised alarming concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s aviation sector, alleging that some pilots operate aircraft under the influence of Indian hemp. The former Abia State governor and ex-owner of the now-defunct SLOK Airlines made the claims during plenary on Wednesday while debating a motion on strengthening aviation safety in Nigeria.
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The motion, sponsored by Oyo North Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, comes amid growing concerns over runway overruns and other aviation incidents.
“I’ve on many occasions stopped to fly because of the inadequacy of the pilots’ preparation. Some of the pilots use Indian hemp. Yes, it’s true… They are not properly audited by the authorities. It is dangerous, and nobody checks their blood pressure or anything,” Kalu told senators.
He noted that modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-500, are largely automated and can land with minimal pilot intervention, attributing incidents to negligence and drug use rather than technical failure. Kalu also urged the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to ensure regular maintenance of airport runways, some of which he described as in poor condition.
Contributing to the debate, Gombe Central Senator, Danjuma Goje, described the state of Nigeria’s aviation sector as “frightening” and called for enhanced oversight of regulatory bodies such as the NCAA and NAMA to ensure compliance and accountability.
Senator Abdulfatai highlighted a report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on a runway overrun involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 at Port Harcourt International Airport on 22 June, which revealed lapses in safety standards, infrastructure, and operational compliance. He urged the Senate Committee on Aviation to engage stakeholders and ensure implementation of safety recommendations within six weeks.
Kebbi North Senator, Yahaya Abdullahi, proposed an additional prayer directing the committee to investigate Kalu’s allegations and other sector issues. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, approved the motion, stressing the need for urgency to safeguard lives and the economy.
The committee was tasked to submit its report within four weeks, with the Senate emphasizing that aviation safety is a matter of life and death requiring rigorous oversight.
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