FEC Okays N2bn For Local Aircraft Assembly In Zaria

The sum of N2.29 billion has been approved by the Federal Executive Council FEC for the assembling of Hungarian Magnus light aircraft at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State.

The council gave the approval on Wednesday at a meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, explained that the renewed demand for the “spin recovery aircraft” necessitated the production of the light aircraft which he said was durable for the training of military and civilian pilots.

Sirika said the first set of the assembled aircraft is expected to fly within the last four months of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He disclosed that his ministry presented two memoranda bordering on the local assemblage of the Magnus aircraft and a review of the cost of instrument landing system (ILS) in three airports by an additional N546.1 billion.

“We had two memoranda in council. The first one is the procurement and assemblage of Magnus Centennial aircraft and stimulator in Zaria,” Sirika said.

“So, I’m happy to announce today is the reality. We will indeed assemble the Magnus aircraft and will continue to do so and [in] not too distant future by God’s grace, the industry of civil aviation will begin to manufacture right here in the country. But [we’re] beginning by assembling these training aircraft.

“So, the memoranda have been passed in council. The manufacturer of the airplane is based in Hungary, and has a local company called Ingenious to be done in Zaria. And the total contract sum is N2,296,897,404 with the completion period of 18 months.”