The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said it won’t succumb to blackmail or harassment from any quarters on the pretext of image laundering merchants.
The NCAA was reaction to a plethora of demands from some groups claiming it wants to help the Authority manage it’s public image.
A statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director, Consumer Protection & Public Affairs indicated that the barrage of image laundering merchants increased sequel to the recent false, vexatious, and defamatory publication by the Daily Nigerian,
He said the Authority has received “a shocking barrage of blackmail proposals and letters from various sponsored groups masquerading as Perception Managers and Influence Groups.
The Authority and its Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo is by this statement, making it clear that it will not bow to blackmail or threats of any nature.”
“We are not unaware of the elements behind these spurious attempts designed to aid the bid of certain power-seekers and we will respond robustly to any further attempts to cause chaos in our agency” he said in the statement.
According to him, the NCAA acknowledged the genuine Civil Society Organisations who have written to seek clarification about the issues raised.”
“We will continue to be transparent about their concerns and we stand by our response via the press conference held on 29/04/2024 that no purchase of vehicles has been made and so, no procurement rules have been abused” he stated.
He further indicated that “any organisation, publication, or individual with a purchase receipt or evidence of same stands challenged to publish it.”
“Sequel to the notice of legal action that has been served on the publisher of Daily Nigerian and his reporter, the Authority will not hesitate to take legal action against blackmailers whose demands for money to ‘defend’ a victim of defamation or have them face ‘negative public embarrassment’ is not only sad but intolerable” the statement stated.
Achimugu assured the “NCAA remains committed to ensuring that safety and economic regulations are strictly adhered to. We have serious work to do and we must acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, to improving the aviation sector as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The NCAA is grateful for the support of its staffers and unions who recently expressed a vote of confidence in the Capt. Najomo-led management” he said.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, neither the agency nor Capt. Chris Najomo will be distracted by falsehood and blackmail” the statement concluded.
