Air Peace, Alcohol And The Comfort Emmanson’s Case
By ETIM ETIM
On Friday, September 13, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) indicted an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol while on duty. The accident investigators tested the airline’s crew after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion (veered off the runway) at the Port Harcourt Airport on July 13, this year. There were 103 persons on board, but nobody was hurt. The indictment of the crew of alcohol and drug use was part of a preliminary report issued by NSIB and signed by its Director of Public Affairs & Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.
The story was widely reported in the media. The report also noted that another crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound found in cannabis (Indian hemp). The report concluded that following these results, NSIB had made safety recommendations to the airline.
It is notable that since this report came out, Nigerians have not expressed outrage against Air Peace. Akwa Ibom people have not commented on the matter. But when a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, on board Ibom Air flight had altercation with a crew member over the passenger’s refusal or inability to turn off her phone before take-off, there was so much outrage against Ibom Air. Why? Surprisingly, some Akwa Ibom people joined other disgruntled Nigerians to denigrate Ibom Air, which is owned by their State. Even some Igbo people, who have lived in Akwa Ibom State for years, and now claim to be from the State, also joined to excoriate Ibom Air. One of them wrote that Ibom Air crew resemble super market staff and described their uniform as rag. Another Igbo man who is an employee of Akwa Ibom government, derogatorily joked that Comfort Emmanson should be made an Ibom Air ambassador.
I took it upon myself to defend the airline and the brand. I was particularly pained that some Akwa Ibom people were among those who ran down the airline. But since the NSIB report came out yesterday on Air Peace, these same people have not made a single comment on the airline and the indicted pilots. In fact, I have not read of any negative report written by an Igbo person against Air Peace on this matter. The airline is owned by Allen Onyeama from Anambra State. This is a big lesson for all those Akwa Ibom people who see nothing good in what belongs to their state and who would easily join others to run down their State or any of its assets.
I should emphasize here that I am not really interested in Air Peace being ridiculed. I am sure that its management will handle this scandal appropriately. But I am amazed that the mob that came out in hordes to attack Ibom Air has all gone silent on the Air Peace matter. Why?
