2023 polls: Defence minister hails NAF airlift readiness to assist INEC

The Minister of Defence, Main Basic Bashir Salihi Magashi (rrtd), has recommended the Nigerian Air Pressure (NAF)  for its readiness to assist the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to airlift its employees and logistics earlier than, throughout and after the 2023 common elections.

A press release by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore WAP Maigida on , disclosed that minister gave the commendation in the course of the roll-out ceremony of C-130 Hercules plane (NAF918)  on the 631 Plane Upkeep Depot, NAF, Ikeja, Lagos.

Magashi who was represented by the Everlasting Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, stated he was happy to acknowledge NAF’s preparations in direction of the forthcoming elections.

 This, he stated was exemplified by the well timed completion of the in-country Periodic Depot Upkeep (PDM) of the NAF C-130H plane to spice up its airlift capability to assist INEC.

Magashi congratulated the NAF for the technical breakthrough, noting that it additional demonstrates the Service quest for capability growth and self-reliance in gear upkeep.

 He added that the achievement is a sign that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has huge potentials for technical capability growth in- nation ventures.

The Minister extolled the NAF immense contributions in combating terrorism, insurgency and different types of safety threats within the nation in addition to its non-kinetic campaigns in numerous theatres of operation. 

He reiterated federal authorities’s dedication to the welfare and capability growth of the AFN to ensure that them to successfully carry out their constitutional roles of defending the nation towards adversaries and felony parts.

He additional disclosed that authorities has positioned orders for the acquisition of airlift, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance plane in addition to floor assault, superior jet coaching and fight multi-role helicopters for the NAF.   These further platforms, he stated would additional increase the Service operational capabilities.  He urged NAF personnel to stay loyal and dedicated in addition to guarantee protected operations and upkeep of the Service platforms.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Employees (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao acknowledged that the roll-out ceremony of the C-130H plane resonates together with his imaginative and prescient to boost and maintain NAF vital airpower capabilities required for joint power employment in pursuit of nationwide safety imperatives.

In accordance with him, “the platform couldn’t have been reactivated at a greater time, because the NAF is now higher positioned to assist INEC to airlift electoral employees and logistics within the forthcoming common elections. It’s on this word that we welcome NAF 918 again to operational readiness to realize its logistics task,” the CAS harassed.

He additional remarked that in-country periodic upkeep has improved NAF plane serviceability in addition to considerably decreased upkeep value of finishing up such upkeep abroad, whereas conserving overseas alternate for the nation.

Air Marshal Amao averred that the NAF plane upkeep engineers and technicians concerned within the PDM venture are extra uncovered to the requisite experience and top quality upkeep practices.  

He revealed that the plane have been test-flown by NAF pilots who confirmed that the engines, devices and avionics parameters are inside commonplace security limits.

He maintained that the NAF C-130 fleet have since fulfilled troops and logistics airlift roles in a number of fight and humanitarian operations inside and outdoors the shores of Nigeria.

He assured that deliberate efforts are being made to enhance plane serviceability throughout all of the plane fleets within the NAF, including that the welfare and security coaching of pilots, engineers and technicians is receiving consideration as a way to be certain that the plane are operated optimally.