Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pledged the full support of the state government to agencies involved in the search and recovery operation following Monday’s aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
He made the commitment when the Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Air Commodore Bature Usman, visited him in Akure.
ORANGE FM’s Olumide Adeluwoye reports that the Governor said he immediately directed the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, the Senior Special Assistant on Emergency Response and the Chairman of the affected local government to commence efforts at the crash site.
He said the recovery operation was ongoing despite the difficult terrain, characterised by swampy areas and narrow, shallow creeks.
Air Commodore Bature Usman said NEMA had deployed three swamp buggies to the crash site to strengthen the recovery operation.
Usman said the operation involved NEMA, SEMA, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy and local residents.
He explained that his visit to Ondo State was on the directive of the Director-General of NEMA, Hajia Zubaida Umar, expressing confidence that the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft trapped at the crash site would soon be recovered.
Also speaking, the Assistant Secretary of SEMA, Mr Oruko, gave an update on the efforts so far made by the agency and other responders at the crash site.
Those present during the visit included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Gbenga Atiba; and the Director, Southwest, NEMA Zonal Operations, Ibadan, Dr Said Akinyele, among others.
