Governor says helicopters which Customs gave to Airforce belongs to Rivers govt

The Governor also alleged that the government refused to grant him a waiver for him to clear the helicopters.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has refuted claims by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), that the two helicopters which they handed over to the Nigerian Airforce, were  seized.

According to Daily Post, Wike also said the armoured helicopters were bought by the Rotimi Amaechi administration.

The NCS, recently handed over two bell helicopters worth $19million to the Airforce,  saying it was seized because the importers failed to comply with importation requirements.

Wike however said that he wrote to President Buhari to hand the helicopters over to the Airforce, but he did not get any response from the Presidency.

The Governor also alleged that the government refused to grant him a waiver for him to clear the helicopters.

Wike said “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration. When I assumed office,we wrote to the Federal government that it was strictly for security use. What am I going to use armoured helicopters for?

“In any case, where will the Rivers State Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters. The previous administration imported it because they had the money.

“I went to the Federal Government to give me a waiver for us to clear the helicopters, but the Federal Government refused.

“I wrote a letter to the President and to assure him that the helicopters are meant for security purposes, it should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force. ”

“I am surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters. What kind of country are they turning Nigeria into ?

“We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use. They are to be used to monitor the creeks and track criminals.

“I wrote to the President to give the helicopters to the Air force. It is shocking that the custom would turn around to claim that they impounded the helicopters. The Chief of Staff to the President admitted that I have done well when I wrote the letter to the President,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board has pleaded with Governor Wike to reverse the revocation order placed on its land by the Rivers state government.