- Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has accused some Nigerian pilots of flying under the influence of drugs, alleging that aviation authorities like the NCAA have failed to carry out proper checks.
- Speaking during Senate plenary, he called for urgent drug testing and stricter monitoring to ensure pilot safety and passenger protection.
Former Abia State Governor and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has accused some Nigerian pilots of flying under the influence of drugs, particularly Indian hemp.
Speaking during Senate plenary, Kalu blamed aviation regulators, including the NCAA, for negligence and poor oversight.
He urged authorities to conduct regular drug tests and health checks to ensure only fit and sober pilots operate flights in the country.
He said: “On many occasions I have stopped to fly because of inadequacy of pilots preparation, some of the pilots are not prepared. Some of them use Indian hemp.
“Yes, it’s true. Some of them are smoking Indian hemp and some of them are not properly audited by the authorities. I am telling you what I know because the NCAA and other authorities are not looking after this pilot and checking them on drugs, on the spot assessment. They’re not doing it. It is dangerous.
“And you see them walking into the airplane. Nobody check their blood pressure. Nobody checked anything, nothing. Most of these pilots are so careless. I have witnessed it and I have seen it. I don’t think it’s normal.
“Those agencies must come back home to look after this pilot and what do you call them?…because some of them take this India hemp like cigarette. If you go close to them, you will smell it. So NCAA must come back to their duty.”
Leave a Reply