Well. it looks as if it's business as usual in Nigeria if the following report from the Vanguard newspaper is anything to go by:
The purpose of ensuring only healthy aircraft fly the nation's airspace may have failed as only 10 out of 28 airlines operating in the country were audited by the Task Force set up by Aviation Minister, Prof. Babalola Borishade, before it was dissolved last week. Constituted November 22, 2005, in the aftermath of Bellview airliner's crash at Lisa Village in Ogun State, the Task Force was charged with responsibility of certifying the operational competence of airlines flying in Nigeria as well as airworthiness of their aircraft.
Although the Task Force was given a time frame of six weeks to conclude its assignment, it was learnt that the enormity of the task necessitated extension of time, which the minister turned down.
Coming at a time the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has hinted of inadequate inspectors to execute such an assignment, some experts in the sector have considered the Task Force's dissolution as counter productive.
Among the airlines yet to be audit by the dissolved Task Force, and most of which still have their aircraft flying, are IRS; Kabo; Albarka; Afrijet; Bristow Helicopters; Pan African Airlines; Caverton Helicopters; DANA and Premium Air Shuttle.
Others include Ambjet; Associated Aviation; King Airlines; Wings Aviation; Allied Air; Dasab; Capital Aviation and Easylink.
Even the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, which was also pencilled down for auditing by the Task Force, has yet to be screened.
In contrast, airlines that have gone through the searchlight of the Ministerial Task Force are Chanchangi, Bellview, Sosoliso; EAS; ADC; Aerocontractors and Virgin Nigeria, amongst others.
One slightly cheering bit of news is that 6 of the 9 expatriates being held hostage by MEND have now been released, including the 68 year-olfd American Macon Hawkins. However another 3, 2 Americans and a Brit, are still being held.