Senator Orji Kalu’s statement on the house floor, alleging that pilots smoke indian hemp before flying and that aviation authorities fail in their oversight function to check such dangerous behaviour, has elicited a response from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Mr Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate, during plenary on Wednesday, said, “On many occasions, I’ve stopped to fly because of the inadequacy of the pilots’ preparation. Some of the pilots are not prepared. Some of them use Indian hemp. Yes, it’s true. Some of them smoke Indian hemp.

“Some of them are not properly audited by the authorities. I’m telling you what I know. Because the NCAA and NEMA and other authorities are not looking after these pilots and checking them on drugs—on-the-spot assessment—they are not doing it. It is dangerous.”

Reacting to Mr Kalu’s allegations, the NCAA, in a statement by its director-general, Chris Najomo, said pilots undergo rigorous medical and professional assessment “consistent with global standards” before they are certified to fly.

“Contrary to the impression created, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority maintains a rigorous and internationally recognised system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilots operating in Nigeria,” the statement said. “It is inaccurate to suggest that pilots operate under the influence of substances or without adequate checks. No pilot is permitted to operate a Nigerian-registered aircraft without holding both a valid pilot licence and a current medical certificate, as required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 8.4.1.4.”

According to the NCAA, the aforementioned medical certificates are issued only after comprehensive aero-medical evaluations by NCAA Authorised Aviation Medical Examiners followed by approval of the medical report by the NCAA’s in-house aero-medical assessors.

The NCAA disclosed that the examinations cover cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, metabolic, respiratory, and visual assessments to ensure that the pilot is fit to operate an aircraft safely. It noted that details of the physical and mental requirements that must be met before a medical certificate is issued.

It also screens for the use of psychoactive substances, mental or behavioral disorders, abnormal blood pressure, heart or lung diseases, neurological disorders, and other physiological conditions that could affect safe performance”.

The NCAA further explained that medical certificates issued to pilots are valid for 12 months for pilots under 40 years of age and six months for those aged 40 and above. At the expiration of these periods, pilots must undergo a new series of medical tests before their certificates can be renewed, according to the statement.

While acknowledging that the concerns of Mr Kalu were noted, the NCAA stated they “do not reflect the factual state of regulatory practice in the Nigerian aviation sector”.