Families of Victims of Dana Plane Crash Demand safety Audit of Passenger Aircraft

The Chairman, Families of Victims of Dana Air crash, Mr. Paul Okwulehie, on Wednesday in Abuja, demanded the safety audit of all passenger aircraft flying in the country.

The families, he said, are also interested in knowing the accident report of all plane crashes in the country and the level of implementation of recommendations.

According to him, global benchmark demands that safety audit of all aspects, including pilot experience and training, and passenger aircraft, be made available to the flying public at all times.

The Chairman who spoke amidst flowing tears at the 3rd anniversary of the Dana plane crash which killed more than 153 persons, including children in Iju, Lagos, said President Buhari should reopen the case file on the crash.

He said: “It is like yesterday. The pain of the loss of our dear ones in that crash, under its peculiar circumstances, is so deep that we do not want any Nigerian to go through this pain.

“We will do all we can to help the nation remember always, so the next air crash, under similar circumstances and indeed under all circumstances, is averted. It is a pain not wished on any one’s worst enemies.”

In his remark, Dr, Ben Anyene, who lost eight members of his family in the crash, said it is most unfortunate that Dana airlines, through carelessness, caused the death of his loved ones.

“We are pained that there are problems in the entire management of Dana airlines.

“We are also pained that the government and the operators in the industry, by their actions, seem to be colluding with Dana management. We don’t have any official report from Dana management on the crash up till. The Dana airlines keep telling lies that they have paid compensation claims to us and to everybody.”

He added that proof of payment of insurance claims should be kept in the public domain.  “We have story to tell and if they say that they have paid, let them publish the evidence for Nigerians to see.

“The most disturbing aspect that is still paining us is that Dana airlines a few months after the crash was awarded the best airline in Nigeria. This is an insult to the families and the entire Nigerians,” he said.