Business

Helicopter crash: Minister to fast track investigation, as third victim dies

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2020

The third crew member in the helicopter Bell 206 with registration number 5N-BQW belonging to Quorum Aviation that crashed into a building at Opebi, Lagos State, has died.

This was disclosed by the spokesperson for the Accident Investigation Bureau, Mr Tunji Oketunmbi, on Friday.

He said, “I confirm to you that the third person has died.”

With this, all three crew members in the helicopter are dead.

Also, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, assured Nigerians that investigations are on-going and that findings will be made public shortly.

With heavy heart I wish to condole the families, friends and the Aviation community on the death of the occupants of the Quorum Helicopters that crashed this afternoon in Lagos. Investigation has commenced and will be fast tracked. The outcome will be made public. 🇳🇬🇳🇬🤲🏽🤲🏽🤲🏽🇳🇬🇳🇬

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) August 28, 2020

Back story: Nairametrics reported earlier on Friday when Panic enveloped Opebi area, Ikeja, Lagos when the helicopter Bell 206 crashed into a building in the area.

The incident, which occurred at about 12. 30pm, at 16A Salvation Road, Opebi, Lagos, claimed the lives of two of the three crew members on board instantly.

Quorum Aviation identified the three victims of the accident. It noted that those aboard the crashed helicopter are its crew members. This was contained in a statement issued by the company after the crash on Friday.

The statement read, “As soon as we received news of the accident, we promptly informed the aviation authorities, Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Preliminary reports indicate that of the three souls on board – all crew, two of the crew members lost their lives whilst the third one is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

“We have been made to understand that nobody in the building, nor in the vicinity was injured for which we are grateful. In accordance with aviation regulations, the AIB has taken over the investigation process. We hereby ask members of the public to await the outcome of the investigation.

“We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.”

Destination of the helicopter

According to a press statement from the Accident Investigation Bureau, the chopper was bound for Lagos from Port-Harcourt.

AIB in its press statement also promised to commence an investigation into the accident, which had three passengers aboard.

About Quorum Aviation

Quorum Aviation Limited (QAL) is an Aviation and Logistics air transportation company. The company operates both Rotary (Helicopters) and Fixed Wing aircraft.

Related Topics:Featured Helicopter crash Opebi helicopter crash Quorum Aviationum

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President Buhari suspends Twitter operations in Nigeria

Published

3 weeks ago

June 4, 2021

Federal Government has reportedly suspended, indefinitely, the operations of Twitter, the microblogging and social networking service, in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, via a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi on Friday.

The Minister cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“The Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria,” the statement read.

Business

Nigeria signs MoU with Niger Republic on petroleum products transportation, storage

Published

7 months ago

November 19, 2020

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger Republic on the transportation and storage of petroleum products.

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources via its Twitter handle on Thursday.

It tweeted, “Nigeria, Niger Republic Sign MoU on Petroleum Products Transportation, Storage. NNPC Pledges to Support SONIDEP on Capacity Building.”

The MoU was signed by the GMD NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and the Director General of SONIDEP, Mr. Alio Toune under the supervision of the two countries’ Ministers of State for Petroleum, Çhief Timipre Sylva and Mr. Foumakoye Gado, respectively with the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim in attendance.

Sylva explained that the development is another huge step in developing trade relations between both countries.

He said, “This is a major step forward. Niger Republic has some excess products which needs to be evacuated. Nigeria has the market for these products. Therefore, this is going to be a win-win relation for both countries.”

Nigeria, Niger Republic Sign MoU on Petroleum Products Transportation, Storage
…As NNPC Pledges to Support SONIDEP on Capacity Building@HETimipreSylva @BNabasu @MKKyari @NNPCgroup @garba_deen @FemAdesina @GarShehu @kennieobateru @halidanme
👇🏾https://t.co/0KTzj92Tw3 pic.twitter.com/JrgcDJxYzn

— Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria (@FMPRng) November 19, 2020

What you should know

Following bilateral agreements between Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and President Mahamadou Issoufou, talks have been on-going between two countries for over four months – through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Niger Republic’s National Oil Company, Societe Nigerienne De Petrole (SONIDEP), on petroleum products transportation and storage.

Niger Republic’s Soraz Refinery in Zinder, some 260km from the Nigerian border, has an installed refining capacity of 20,000 barrels per day. Niger’s total domestic requirement is about 5,000bpd, thus leaving a huge surplus of about 15,000 bpd, mostly for export.

Business

House of Reps to support full aviation reform

Published

7 months ago

November 17, 2020

The House of Representatives has promised to support total reforms in the aviation industry through legislation, as it appeals for active participation of stakeholders in public hearings.

This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, via his Twitter handle on Tuesday.

According to him, the House has identified that the aviation industry is a key contributor to the growth of the country’s economy and through legislation it would do all it can to develop the industry.

During the opening of a 3-day public hearing session on six aviation-sector bills by the Committee on Aviation, he explained that the draft legislation would make the sector more effective and efficient.

He said, “It is imperative to note that the development of our aviation industry is an added advantage to the growth of our economy. It is in this vein that the House of Representatives will continue to support total rehabilitation and upgrading of our airports and allied services.

“The consideration of these Bills during this Public Hearing is a testament to our commitment to give new life to the aviation sector and make our airports to be a better non-oil revenue-generating sector as is witnessed in other advanced economies.”

The Speaker appealed to the public and interested parties to honour invitations to House committee public hearings so that they can share ideas on how to make critical sectors deliver optimally.