The Federal Government has acquired six aircraft for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
The Minister of Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, made the announcement on Twitter on Friday, through his handle, @hadisirika.
“Just received, in Austria, six new state-of-the-air aircraft for NCAT, Zaria,” the minister tweeted.
Sirika said the aircraft would be delivered in the next three weeks.
Just received, in Austria, 6 new state of the art Aircraft for NCAT Zaria. To be delivered within 3 weeks. In our effort to catch up with technology inline with our approved roadmap. Our efforts has earned Zaria the status of ICAO regional training center of excellence 🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Kc7aeJOrhN
— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) January 24, 2020
He also stated that this was part of the efforts to catch up with technology and in line with the aviation road map.
The minister said the Federal Government’s efforts had earned NCAT the status of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s regional training centre of excellence.
The Rector of NCAT, Capt. Mohammed Abdulsalam had last year said the college had placed orders for six DA40 aircraft.
He said the new aircraft would enhance NCAT’s training capacity.
He noted that with the delivery of the aircraft, the college would also place an order for another batch of aircraft.
He said the college would be ordering aircraft in batches until the delivery of 20 aircraft.
Abdulsalam said, “As you are aware aviation is a very technical and evolving industry. There are always new technologies coming up.
“In keeping up with this advancement, the college is always procuring new equipment so that our engineers and pilots, air traffic controllers and others, by the time they come out, they are trained in the use of these facilities.”
He said the NCAT bill for the amendment of the Act that set up the college was before the National Assembly, adding that its passage would help the college to access the Tertiary Education Trust fund to address some infrastructure and staff training needs.
