The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, said the Federal Government had no plan to sell the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Rather, she said government believed in growing and repositioning the institution to rank among the best aviation training centres in the world.

Oduah gave the assurance in a statement issued in Abuja, on Wednesday, by Mr Joe Obi, her Special Adviser on Media.

The statement said she gave the assurance at the end of a meeting she held with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

It added that the institution must be made to grow through a deliberate policy of professionalisation, partnership and collaboration with other reputable aviation training institutions around the world.

“I am an apostle of non-privatisation or concessioning of government institutions but an apostle of professionalistion.

“Government is not doing concession or privatisation but partnerships and collaboration.

“The government means well for the sector and therefore needs to build, rebuild and continue to build the sector in order to achieve the goal of transforming it as the main catalyst for the socio-economic growth of the nation.

“Government has carried out a serious systems audit for the aviation sector and has realised its importance to the overall economy.

“That is why we must give it all the necessary push to play its pivotal role for the nation's economy,’’ she said.

The statement quoted the minister as denying claims that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) funds were withdrawn without due approvals.

She said the money was still in the custody of CBN. Nobody can gain access to it without presidential and legislative approvals.

“It is absolutely impossible for anybody to access that fund without all necessary approvals.

“The money is in the CBN, and as I speak with you, the money has not been spent, even though we are subsequently going to spend what has been approved.

“Above all, the CBN must certify that you have followed all the processes before they can allow any withdrawals.

“In summary, all envisaged processes have been followed and the necessary approvals secured. Nobody can therefore access that fund fraudulently or otherwise,’’ it added.

According to the statement, the National President of the NAAPE, Captain Isaac Balama, pledged their support to the growth of the industry.

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