“Probe cause of crash” – NLC tells FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called for an inquiry into Saturday’s air mishap that killed Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Andrew Owoeye Azazi, and four others in Bayelsa State.

In a statement by its leader on Sunday, the NLC commiserate with the family and home states of the victims, while calling for review of the status of all aircraft belonging to the Military as well as the Presidency.

Below is a full text of the statement.

“The country has once more been thrown into mourning by the unfortunate death of some of her best citizens in an air crash that involved a military helicopter yesterday.

“The Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Andrew Owoeye Azazi, their aides and two pilots were reported to have died in the crash, which occurred in Bayelsa State.

“The late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa also played key roles in promoting national unity with the way and manner he was able to manage ethnic and religious interests in Kaduna State, which gave hope for national unity and cohesion.

“While we condole with the families of those who died in this crash, we urge the Federal Government to institute a high powered probe into the cause of this crash. We also reiterate our call for a thorough safety check on all aircrafts, including helicopters, private jets as well as the Presidential fleet because it is obvious that the appropriate air safety authorities have not done enough in their statutory functions.

“We also call for a serious and deep review of the country’s search and rescue system as we seem not to have the right equipments for quick response to emergencies of this magnitude. It was reported that the crash scene was difficult to locate after the crash. Possibly, some or all the victims could have been saved if our search and rescue system had the right equipments and personnel.

“We extend our condolences, on behalf of all Nigerian workers, to the Governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States where Yakowa and Azazi hails from respectively while praying that God gives the families of all those who died in this crash the fortitude to bear the loss.

Abdulwahed Omar

President