The governor of Rivers State emphasized that the donation of an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force was solely for security purposes and not politically motivated. The handover ceremony took place at the 115 Special Operations Group of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Rumuomasi. The governor stated that the donation aimed to enhance security operations, improve aerial surveillance, and boost emergency response capabilities in the state and the Niger Delta region. The gesture aligns with the administration’s commitment to safeguard national economic assets, increase crude oil production, and generate revenue for development. The governor highlighted that the helicopter had been abandoned for years due to a dispute with Aero Contractors, the initial operator. The Chief of the Air Staff commended the state government for its support and emphasized the importance of the donation in enhancing national security. The AW139 helicopter is expected to bolster tactical airlift, search and rescue missions, and disaster relief efforts due to its advanced features. The Air Force officials expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Rivers government and assured that the asset would be maximized for national security objectives. The handover process was finalized with the signing of documents by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government and the Director of Works from the Nigerian Air Force.
Helicopter donation to NAF for security, not politics – Fubara
