Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, former senator who represented Ondo South, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The NAF 931 carrying 25 personnel, on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos on Monday crashed near Nigeria Navy Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Tofowomo, who served at the 9th National Assembly, said this on Wednesday in a statement issued in Okitipupa.
He commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke and Nigerian Armed Forces.
The former lawmaker also extended his condolences to the families, loved ones of personnel who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
He called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, urging the relevant authorities to ensure that lessons from the incident were used to strengthen aviation safety to prevent future tragedies.
Tofowomo called for renewed attention to stricter aviation safety and the standards governing the operation as well as maintenance of aircraft in Nigeria.
According to him, there should be a clearly defined limit to the operational lifespan of aircrafts; particularly the continued use of older planes could raise safety concerns.
“When lives are lost in an air crash, we must not only mourn. We must also ask the necessary questions and take the necessary steps to guide against recurrence.
“Aircraft acquired for operation must undergo thorough inspection, certification and maintenance to ensure that it meets the required safety standards to fly,” Tofowomo said.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for 2027 eke tions, prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and asked God to grant their families, colleagues and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss (NAN)