The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident involving a helicopter engaged by NNPC Limited.
The helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG, lost contact at approximately 11:22 am today after taking off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN.
Operated by East Winds Aviation, the aircraft had eight people on board, including six passengers and two crew members.
Senator Lokpobiri, in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We share in the grief and pain of the families, and we stand in solidarity with them as the search and rescue efforts continue.”
The Minister stated that the Ministry will continue to support the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited as they monitor and manage the situation.
“We will continue to offer support to the NNPC Limited in the ongoing rescue mission.”
