The Government of the State of Osun has said that it may recall the leased helicopter owned by the state to fight the security problems facing the state.
The helicopter was purchased by the administration of the immediate past governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the year 2013 to combat the security challenges the state was facing then.
Speaking with SUNDAY PUNCH, the Supervisor for the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Lani Baderinwa said the rising spate of kidnapping in the state necessitate the decision.
He said, “Anytime we have a need for it, we can get it. We may recall it. There was a time the wife of a politician was abducted; the helicopter was recalled (for her rescue). It helped in the search and those abducted were rescued in good time.”
According to him, the lease arrangement has assisted the government to keep the helicopter in good shape, at no extra cost.
“You know the helicopter cannot be left unused. It must be used regularly. The decision to lease it out has assisted us to keep the helicopter in good shape, and, at the same time, earn the state some revenue,” Baderinwa said.
The administration of the immediate past governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, in February 2013 unveiled the French 2006 model five-plus-one passenger Eurocopter AS-355N helicopter.
The then Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, had said in a statement that the helicopter, under a lease agreement with OAS Helicopters, Lagos, would complement the state’s investments towards the protection of lives and property of its citizenry.
(Punch)
