Akwa Ibom state government on Wednesday said that the management of Global Express Airlines which hit the state aircraft damaging its nose cone and radar has undertaken full responsibility.
The accident occurred when the Global Express aircraft taxing to it parking point ran into the state aircraft resulting in an accident.
A statement by the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong assured that the aircraft would be back soon as the insurers have underwritten the risks.
“Recently, there was an accident at Execujet, a private jet hanger and apron in Lagos, where a Global Express aircraft hit our parked State aircraft, damaging its nose cone and radar.
“The accident happened while our jet was parked at its allotted parking point and the Global Express jet was taxing to its parking point. The pilot and the management of the offending aircraft have earnestly accepted responsibility.
“Consequently, the aviation industry being a highly regulated sector that runs on insurance, the insurers have underwritten the risk and the state plane will be back to use soon.
“The State Government assures that there is no cause for panic, as adequate industry safeguards have been activated in line with global best practices in the aviation sector.” The statement read.
The state government’s statement is coming amid criticism that the State aircraft was parked in a wrong place
A former deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in the state Mr. Uwem Udoma had earlier said that, “I have information that our aircraft in your care is badly damaged due to a fatal accident at the wrong parking lot which is cheap in Lagos. Another aircraft taxing to park, hit it and badly damaged our only aircraft”
