Crash is major setback for reform, says Jonathan

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan (C) stands with the Lagos state Governor Babatunde Fashola (R) at the site of the Dana plane crash

The President yesterday said Sunday’s crash of a Dana Air plane in Lagos is a setback for his administration’s aviation reforms.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan spoke at Iju-Ishaga, the crash site on the outskirts of Lagos. He was accompanied by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Abubakar.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation Senator Hope Uzodinma and House of Representatives Aviation Committee chairman Ms Nkeruka Onyeojiocha were also with him.

The President was dressed in an all black outfit to depict the mood.

 Dr. Jonathan said : “ Let me use this opportunity to express my condolences to all those who have lost their dear ones in the crash. It is a sad event for us all. We all know that aviation is an international business and all the laws that govern it are international. I want to thank those of you who are here with us, especially those who are conducting the operations.

“It is a sad event for all of us. And which was why the Federal Government has declared three  days of mourning.

We have been working very hard to improve the aviation conditions in the country. For those of you who travel a lot, you have noticed some improvement going on in our airports. So, the government is totally committed to improving the quality of the aviation in the country. This particular incident is a major setback to us as a people and here with me are members of the National Assembly because we are thoroughly going to investigate this accident.

“The technical people will carry out their responsibility to tell us what went wrong, but we will also look at the administrative issues which is the part the National Assembly will play.  The government will also play its part. So, at the end of the day, we will make sure that this does not repeat itself in this country.”

The President added: “ We recall that only on Saturday, we had a similar incident in Ghana where a Nigerian based cargo plane had a similar incident but that was not as devastating as this. So, we will make sure that we do our best for this country and for the world so that the Nigerian airspace will be a safe place.

“Let me thank the government of Lagos State for what it has been doing since the crash because I have been in constant touch with the governor. Let me also thank all the Federal Government agencies and other private sector operatives like Julius Berger and others, who have been working with us voluntarily on this rescue operation.”

Fashola said: “There is not much to say as we continue to struggle with this tragedy than to thank President Jonathan. In spite of the fact that I briefed you on this development this morning, you still came to commiserate with us.”

Senator Uzodima said: “The President invited us to come and see things for ourselves. We are sure that lessons have been learnt; that there would be no repeat of such. I’m sure we will get over this.”    

Onyeojiocha said: “This is a very difficult time for us as a country, now that we are losing lives. Yesterday in Bauchi, some people died; yesterday; Dana crashed. We only pray that God will grant them eternal rest. Our hearts also go out to the families who have directly lost their loved ones whose lives were cut short.”