President Bola Tinubu has directed an intensification of search and rescue for passengers of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on Thursday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga urges military officers involved in various operations in the zone to join the rescue mission and provide all necessary support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and other relevant agencies.
The helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, was hired by Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited to ferry some contract staff to the its facility FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN.
The President condoles with the Board and staff of NNPC and the families of all those who were confirmed to have passed away in the accident.
MUST READ:Just In: NAF helicopter crashes in Port Harcourt
Meanwhile, the NNPC Limited says it has commenced a search and rescue operation after a helicopter which had its staff on board, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny.
This is contained in a statement by NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye. He said the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, departed Port Harcourt Military Base for the FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN oil rig when the incident occurred at 11.22 am
“We shall continue monitoring the situation, providing regular updates. Our thoughts are with passengers, crew and families. We’ll support the search and rescue operation,” NNPCL stated.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
