By Matthias Ogbagah
UGHELLI – Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has commiserated with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Rivers State Government, and families of the ill-fated Sikorsky Plane Crash in Rivers State on the death of passengers onboard.
In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini Ph.D made available to newsmen, stated that PANDEF received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred on Thursday, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt, Rivers State with a shock.
The statement reads in part; “On behalf of the National Leader of PANDEF, Chief Dr. Edwin K. Clark OFR, CON, the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and the entire membership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the National Chairman of the Forum, Amb. Godknows Igali, Ph.D extends the forum’s heartfelt condolences to the families of those on board in the ill-fated East Wind Aviation that crashed on Thursday into Bonny River in Rivers State, claiming the lives of those onboard.
“PANDEF wishes to commiserate with the Federal Government, the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, the Rivers State government, and the management of East Wind Aviation over the tragic and very unfortunate incident.
“PANDEF is saddened by the news that the Helicopter with Registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, which was carrying eight persons, six passengers, and two crew members onboard, crashed as it was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig”.
PANDEF noted with sadness, described it as a dark day for the Rivers State government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and especially the country’s Aviation Ministry, where energetic persons who were oil workers and contract staffers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, died in the process.
“We (PANDEF) mourned the passing of the oil workers, describing their passing as a major setback and an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond the comprehension of any right-thinking member of the society.
“We prayed for the repose of the departed and prayed to God Almighty to comfort the grieving Nigerians and the families of the deceased at this deeply difficult moment”, the statement stated.
