Federal Executive Council approves N2bn for assembly of local aircraft in Zaria, Kaduna State
The federal executive council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the sum of N2.29 billion for the assembling of Hungarian Magnus light aircraft at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State.
FEC gave the approval at a meeting chaired by vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who stood in for president Muhammadu Buhari, who is out of the country on official duty
Briefing state house correspondents after the meeting, minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika clarified 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 noted that the first batch f the assembled aircraft is expected to fly within the last four months of the administration of president Buhari.
“We had two memoranda in council. The first one is the procurement and assemblage of Magnus Centennial aircraft and stimulator in Zaria,” said Sirika.
“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”, added Sirika.
