Top newspaper report- Amaechi denies rip-off in helicopter purchase .

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Nigeria’s oil rich Rivers state has denied allegations that his government and the office of the National Security Adviser inflated by more than 100 per cent the cost of two BELL 412 EP aerial surveillance helicopters.

The Daily Trust, quoting an aviation expert had queried the purchase, saying it amounted to a rip-off as the actual cost of the helicopters should be $6.7 million, making the cost for the two copters $13.4 million.

Which means that the $14 million approved by the Rivers House of Assembly ought to have bought the helicopters outright, without any additional spending of $15million by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

But the Rivers State Government in a swift response denied inflating the cost of the copters.

Mrs Ibim Semenitari, the Commissioner for

Information and Communications, in a press briefing today in Port Harcourt, dismissed the accusation that the $28.4 Million paid for the two BELL 412 EP Helicopters was a rip-off on the treasury of Rivers People and the federal Government.

Mrs Semenitari who made available to Journalists the purchase agreement papers between Rivers State Government and Bell Helicopters, a Textron Company based in Canada, said that those claiming that the purchase of the two helicopters- Bell 412 EP that are armoured plated and also fitted with security devices like camera as a rip-off should have emailed their enquiries to the company to find out the actual cost of that model.

In the purchase document, the 28,414,640 Million US Dollars was paid “by wired transfer in accordance with the agreement with the wire transfer instructions to CITIBANK,FSB 8750 Doral BLVD, Miami, Florida 33178,Aba Routing 266086 Swift Code: CITIUS33 for the Account of Africair Inc, Account No3200401509.”

Mrs. Semenitari challenged the accusers of the Governor to find out from the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, that had earlier bought other Bell models how much it spent.

But observers said the commissioner’s response may have opened another controversy as the recipient of the wired money was not Bell Helicopters, which is based in Canada and the USA, but a vendor agent, AFRICAIR, which is a distributor, not just for Bell, but also for Cessna and Thrush, makers of small planes.

On its website, the 45 year-old company, which has been active in Nigeria’s helicopter supply business, described its business thus:

“Africair is the largest Cessna Aircraft Company distributor in the world. As Cessna’s exclusive Authorized Sales Representative for 48 countries in and around Africa, we distribute the entire Cessna product line, from the Cessna single engine piston Skyhawk to the fastest general aviation aircraft in the world, the Citation X.Cessna has manufactured more general aviation aircraft than any other company, and is recognized as the industry leader in safety, reliability, performance and innovation. In addition to selling new and used Cessna aircraft, we provide spare parts, product support, warranty administration, maintenance and technical support, and training coordination for Cessna aircraft owners and operators.

“We are also the Independent Representative for Bell Helicopter/Textron, Inc. for 33 countries in and around Africa. Bell Helicopter is the premier manufacturer of light to medium size helicopters in the world and produces a full line of single and twin engine helicopters. Bell helicopters are world renowned for their rugged durability, reliability and safety. We provide configuration and completion coordination for our customers utilizing a number of high quality completion facilities.

“Africair is the exclusive Independent Representative for Thrush Africa for 47 countries in and around Africa. Thrush Aircraft manufactures the finest aerial spray application aircraft in the world. These versatile aircraft can be used for crop spraying, pest control, fertilization, fire bombing, mosquito control and other uses. Thrush Aircraft are rugged, durable and affordable.

“As the distributor for Cessna aircraft and Bell helicopters in our assigned territories, we have a large, loyal customer base of private individuals and commercial operators, including cargo haulers, charter companies, passenger airlines, and companies supporting the exploration and production activities of major oil and mining companies throughout Africa. In addition, we specialize in supplying aircraft, helicopters, parts, maintenance support, technical support and training coordination to militaries, police organizations and other governmental agencies, including the Kenya Police Air Wing, Kenya Power & Lighting Company, Kenya Wildlife Service, Tanzania Wildlife Service, Tanzania National Parks, Libyan Air Ambulance, Royal Moroccan Air Force, ENNA (Algeria), Nigerian Police Air Wing, Nigerian Customs Service, East African Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Pipeline, and others.”