Senate panel insists on helicopter for FRSC : We don’t need it, says Chidoka

Mr. Osita Chidoka

The Senate Committee on Federal Character has insisted on providing N2 billion in the 2011 budget for purchase of helicopter for the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) even as the agency said it does not need one. Speaking during budget defence by the commission yesterday, Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP, Kogi West) said the provision must be included in the budget as the agency is in dire need of helicopter to check the spate of accidents in the country.

Adeyemi said “We are going to include N2 billion to buy helicopter for Road Safety. If we have to cut from other sector to get a helicopter for Road Safety, I do not think it is too much.”

But in his explanation, Corp Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka said the FRSC does not need a helicopter for its operation as it requires more patrol vans to prevent accidents on the roads.

He said “We do not need a helicopter at the moment. What we need are patrol vehicles that will ensure our presence for every 50 metres from an accident scene.”

In the same vein, N2 billion has been provided for the launch the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) One being built in China to replace the lost Satellite.

Speaking during budget defence yesterday at the Senate, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dere Awosika said N2 billion is provided in the budget as part payment for 40 per cent of the insurance premium requirement for NIGCOMSAT in preparation for the launch.

The Senate also frowned at the award of N1.4 billion contract by the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) for the construction of underwater vessel.

An official of the institute, Nnena Denna, said the contractor has been paid 90 percent of the money “only for them to come up with series of excuses for the delay in the contract.”