The remains of one more passenger in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, (NSIB) announced yesterday, bringing the total bodies recovered to four.
This is as the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the eight people on board the ill-fated helicopter, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPC), East Wind Aviation, and the entire oil and gas community.
The NSIB stated that at exactly 4:00 PM a floating body was retrieved from the water by the Fast Rescue Craft, FRC, and was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan, for safe transit through their territorial waters.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of NSIB, Bimbo Oladeji, said by 6:44 PM, field operations identified the body by confirming that the T-shirt worn matched the description provided.
Oladeji said although it took time, photographic evidence confirmed the identity as the fourth victim.
The statement reads: “By 6:50 PM, Eastwind Aviation was contacted to arrange an air ambulance for transporting the body tomorrow morning, with Eastwind actively coordinating this effort. By 7:05 PM: Antan Security informed the Port Harcourt Marine Police to prepare for receiving the body from the air ambulance.
“The NSIB is actively collaborating with a joint search, rescue, and recovery team, as well as various supporting agencies. These combined efforts are essential for ensuring a thorough and efficient recovery process and for gathering critical evidence to aid the investigation.”
Meanwhile, NEITI executive secretary, Dr Orji while stressing the importance of stringent safety protocols and continuous improvements in industry operations, restated its commitment to supporting the NNPC relevant stakeholders to promote industry safe practices to safeguard lives.
“As an institution dedicated to accountability and safety within Nigeria’s extractive industries, NEITI underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and continuous improvements in industry operations.
“We are committed to supporting NNPC and relevant stakeholders in promoting industry best practices to safeguard the lives and well-being of those who serve to provide and protect Nigeria’s energy needs.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims: Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. We also mourn Captain Yakubu Dukas, the dedicated pilot, while awaiting confirmation of the identity of the final individual on board,” NEITI executive secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji said in a message on Sunday.
“NEITI stands with NNPCand the affected families during this difficult time, sharing in their profound grief.
This tragic incident comes while the oil and gas industry is still reeling from the sudden loss of the daughter of the group chief executive officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari. The compounded grief has brought a deep and painful sorrow to an industry that continually sacrifices to meet Nigeria’s energy needs. “On behalf of the board, management and staff of NEITI and its Board, we extend heartfelt condolences to Mele Kyari and his family. Our prayers and thoughts are with the oil and gas industry in Nigeria as they navigate this very challenging period.
“We acknowledge the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and other involved agencies as they continue their search and investigation into the accident. Despite the ongoing efforts to locate the wreckage and the remaining individuals, we remain hopeful that their search yields answers for the families, communities and the industry seeking closure,” Orji stated.
