Some members of the National Assembly have visited the United States of America in order to inspect some aircraft ordered by President Muhamadu Buhari to tackle insecurity in the country.
Our correspondent reports that the lawmakers, who are members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Defence and Air Force, were led by Senator Michael Nnachi, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, and Hon. Abass Adigun, who represents Ibadan North East/ Ibadan South East Federal constituency.
Other members of the delegation included Honourable Babajimi Benson from Lagos, Shehu Koko and Abubakar Maki.
The lawmakers were received on arrival in the US by officials from Embraer Defence Security Incorporated (EDSI), Nigerian Defence Attaché to the US, Air Commodore Jibrin Usman, the Lead Foreign Liaison Office on the A-29, Air Vice Marshal Sule Lawal among others.
Adigun, who is the Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, while speaking on the visit, expressed confidence that the 12 units of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft ordered by the Buhari-led government would help to tackle insecurity in the country.
He said with six of the aircraft expected in Nigeria in July and the remaining six expected before the end of October, the military would be further empowered to take the battle against insurgency to the terrorists in their hideouts.
Adigun said the aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art gadgets that enable them carry out a series of military missions including close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and can fly on an unpaved runway, among other capabilities.
Adigun, while speaking further, said that the head of the US Air Force Fighters and Advance Aircraft Directorate, Colonel Authur Ford, explains that the long duration between the payment date and the scheduled delivery date is for the good of Nigeria.
“The Colonel explained to us that the long duration was as a result of the challenges encountered while they were configuring the Tucano aircraft. As a retiree of the US Navy, I know military hardware is not something you pick on the shelf. It takes time. More so, Nigeria gave them a specification that must be met in configuring the fighter plane.
“Ford also assures us that 10 out of the 12 aircraft are ready, while the remaining two are undergoing modification and integration to NAF specific operational configuration.
“He assures us further that the delivery date won’t change. He said the aircraft would come in handy for Nigeria in its long-running battle against terrorists and criminals.”
