By Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday dismissed rumours making the rounds that a subsisting contract agreement between the Federal Government and the United States for the supply of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft has been cancelled due to ‘bad runway at the 407 Air Combat Training Group, Kainji,’ Niger State.

The NAF said there was no truth in the report being circulated on the social media that the contract has been abandoned. It said six out of the expected 12 aircraft had been produced and were presently being employed for conversion training of six of its pilots who are currently in the United States.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made the clarifications in a statement issued in Abuja, said the statements credited to Senator Mike Nnachi, Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, while briefing the Senate Appropriation Committee on the 2021 NAF Budget proposal, were taken out of context.

The Senate Committee on Air Force had last Thursday raised the alarm that Nigeria stood the risk of losing $493m paid to the United States for the purchase of the Super Tucano fighter jets due to the bad runway at Kainji. The FG had in 2018 transferred a total of $493m to the US for the purchase of the aircraft to fight terrorism and other violent crimes bedevilling the country.

Related News

Daramola, reacting to the report, said:

‘The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to media reports insinuating that the subsisting contractual agreement between the Nigerian Government and the United States of America (USA) for the supply of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, for which payment has been made, is in jeopardy due to “bad runway” at the 407 Air Combat Training Group (407 ACTG), Kainji. The NAF wishes to state that the reports, which were purportedly drawn from remarks made by the Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force while briefing the Senate Appropriation Committee on the 2021 NAF Budget proposal, were clearly taken out of context.

‘For the avoidance of doubts, it is necessary to state that the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft project is on track to be delivered on schedule and in accordance with the Terms of the Contract. Currently, 6 of the expected 12 aircraft have been produced and are presently being employed for conversion training of 6 NAF pilots who are in the USA, along with 26 NAF engineers, technicians and logisticians, who are also undergoing various training on the aircraft as part of the provisions of the Contract. Another set of 35 personnel is also scheduled to join them early next year. In addition, a team from the USA is currently in Kainji overseeing the construction of critical infrastructure provided in the Contract ahead of the delivery of the aircraft.

‘Meanwhile, the about 40-year old 407 ACTG Kainji Runway, which has been in use for more than the number of years estimated as its lifespan, has been earmarked for resurfacing. In this regard, the National Assembly, through the Senate and House Committees on Air Force, as well as the Federal Government are working assiduously to secure funding for the resurfacing. The United States Government, on its part, has also assured of its commitment to delivering the 12 aircraft within the agreed timelines, while the NAF will continue to work to emplace necessary infrastructure to ensure that the aircraft can be effectively utilized immediately they arrive in the country.

‘The NAF, therefore, wishes to appreciate both the Senate and House Committees on Air Force and other agencies of the Federal Government for their continued support that has enabled the Service to fulfil its constitutional roles. Similarly, the NAF is grateful to the United States Government for its support and commitment towards ensuring the success of the Super Tucano project. Whilst also thanking the media for their usual support, the NAF wishes to urge circumspection in reportage in order not to raise unnecessary alarm.’