The
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended a crew member for testing
positive for marijuana during random alcohol and drug tests on licensed
aviation personnel.
The
NCAA said it conducted the test in compliance with a directive from the
Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, after issuing a circular to stakeholders
in the industry.
According to the regulator, 87 personnel from Air
Peace, Medview Airline and Air Traffic Controllers of the Nigerian Airspace
Management Agency were randomly tested as they were about to embark on
flight operations and air traffic control duties.
The
NCAA said that out of the 10 pilots and 19 cabin crew from Air Peace Limited;
nine pilots and 32 cabin crew members from Med-View Airline; and 10 licensed
air traffic controllers and six trainees from the control tower and Total Radar
Coverage of Nigeria Centre of NAMA, one crew member tested positive to a
psychoactive substance, Tetrahydro-Cannabinol, also known as marijuana.
Although
the NCAA did not disclose the identity of the crew member or the airline, it
however said he was immediately suspended from carrying out further flight
operations.
“Further
investigations were later carried out to ascertain the quantity of the
substance in the urine sample of the crew member,” the NCAA said in a statement
signed on Monday by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye.
The
regulator said the crew member had violated the provisions of Part 2.11.1.7.
(a) and Part 8.5.1.5(a) (3) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs
2015).
It
added, “The offending air crew has been suspended in accordance with the
provisions of Part 2.11.1.8(f) (i) and Part 2.11.1.7(c) of Nig.CARs 2015. His
medical certificate and licence have been suspended for 180 days from the 5th
day of April, 2017.
“Accordingly, the respondent shall cease to
exercise the privileges of the licence for the period of his suspension.
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