By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)has given updates on the air disaster that happened last Thursday in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State.
The company disclosed that only three of the eight passengers on the ill-fated helicopter have been found.
According to a statement by the company, it has become necessary to clear the air on the reports claiming that two additional bodies were discovered on Friday, in addition to the three recovered on the day of the incident.
In a statement on Sunday, the NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that no further bodies had been found.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to announce that, beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered,” Soneye said in the statement.
However, the NNPC spokesperson confirmed that search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining individuals, in conjunction with relevant authorities, are still underway.
“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfortunate incident,” he added.
Last Thursday, Soneye announced that a helicopter carrying six NNPC officials crashed along with two crew members.
The East Wind Aviation helicopter, with Registration Number 5NBQG, reportedly took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO – NUIMS Antan.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau reported that neither the debris of the helicopter nor the remaining individuals have been located, despite efforts by the involved agencies.
According to the electronic manifest of the flight, the names of the workers on the helicopter were: Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo.
The pilot was identified as Captain Yakubu Dukas, while the identity of the eighth person aboard has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile a statement issued by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) last Friday stated that Dukas was the Vice President of the association until his death.
According to the statement, which was issued by the association’s president, Abednego Galadima, the late Captain was a seasoned helicopter pilot with more than 20 years of flying experience
