from the Lagos Guardian:
UPDATED AT 18.00 GMT
Air-crashes: Govt sends perm sec on indefinite leave
President Olusegun Obasanjo yielded the anticipated big stick in the bid to reform the aviation sector, sending on "indefinite leave immediately'' the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, Mr. TD Oyelade and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Esai Dangabar. Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media) Mrs. Oluremi Oyo said Monday in a statement that "following the spate of regrettable accidents in Nigeriaâs aviation sector, President Obasanjo has ordered a critical assessment of institutional and human capacity deficiencies in the sector as a prelude to urgent reforms in the industry. Since a critical re-appraisal of the management of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its parastatals will fall under the purview of this exercise, President Obasanjo has also directed that that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. T.D. Oyelade, and the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Esai Dangabar should proceed on indefinite leave immediately.''Mrs. Oyo said that it is expected that Mr. Oyelade would hand over his duties to the most senior director in the ministry immediately.