Gov Mbah reacts to Enugu Air runway incident in Benin

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has extended his sympathies to the passengers aboard an Enugu Air Embraer E170 that experienced a runway excursion upon landing in Benin City, Edo State. The aircraft, operating Flight 4264 from Lagos, veered off the runway shortly after touching down at Benin Airport on Thursday.

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The government empathizes with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported.

The airline, owned by the Enugu State Government, confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Importantly, no injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the incident.

In his first public statement on the matter, Governor Mbah conveyed the government's empathy for the traumatic experience endured by those on board. He expressed profound gratitude to God that no lives were lost and no injuries were sustained. The governor reiterated that passenger safety is a non-negotiable priority for Enugu Air.

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Safety in Enugu Air is non-negotiable.

Governor Mbah commended the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for its prompt action in launching an investigation to determine the precise circumstances and contributing factors that led to the runway excursion. He assured the public that the Enugu State government would ensure full cooperation from Enugu Air with the ongoing investigation and relevant regulatory authorities.

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The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.

He stressed that while the investigation's outcome is pending, the government assures the public that Enugu Air's operations adhere to the highest safety standards. The governor emphasized that the airline was founded on a corporate culture prioritizing safety above profit and schedules, with quality assurance systems exceeding industry benchmarks. He also thanked Nigerians for their outpouring of solidarity and positive feedback regarding their experiences with Enugu Air.

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While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards.