NAMA Grounds Oshiomhole’s Chartered Helicopter Over Aerodrome & Landing Fee.

BENIN CITY-THE prevailing political
tension in the nation as a result of the
factionalization of the Nigeria Governors
Forum became messier Friday as the
Nigeria Airspace Management Agency
(NAMA), grounded the chartered
helicopter which was meant to convey
Governor Adams Oshiomhole to Anambra
state for the burial ceremony of the wife
of Senator Ben Obi,the Special Adviser to
the President on Political Matters, Mrs
Collete Obi.
The drama started when the pilot, Captain
James Manahash, who was already air-
burn with the governor and his entourage
was ordered to fly back to the Benin
airport five minutes after taking off over
what they described as failure to pay
aerodrome and landing fee.
The pilot was threatened to fly back or the
aircraft will be banned from flying. It was
learnt that the governor who observed the
argument between the pilot and the
NAMA officials, prevailed on the pilot to
come back and answer the call so as to
sort out the issues raised.
But to the chagrin of the Governor and
the pilot, they were delayed for over one
hour thirty minutes even after the pilot
paid the landing and aerodrome fees.
After waiting for such hours a visibly angry
Oshiomhole entered his vehicle and
zoomed off. Saturday Vanguard later
learnt that he headed to his village at
Iyamho. He declined comment.
When newsmen met with the pilot,
Captain Manahash, he expressed shocked
over the incident, asserting that “I have
been a pilot for 35 years out of which 7
years in Nigeria. So I was surprised when I
was recalled back to the airport after we
took off. The Governor prevailed on me to
come back and answer them. When we got
back I was told to pay landing and
aerodrome fee which ordinarily we could
pay later.
“Even after completion of the process of
payment, we were still delayed for one
hour fifteen minutes with the governor
still seated in the aircraft. Ordinarily
payment of such fees doesn’t take more
then ten minutes. This is not the first time
I have been flying the governor and we
have never witnessed such a
disappointment. It is really shocking” he
stated.