The first made-in-Nigeria non-commercial helicopter is yet to obtain a series of certifications and clearance it needs to commence operations from relevant agencies, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has said.

Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, stated this at the ongoing Technology and Innovation Expo 2022 in Abuja.

Haruna was fielding questions from journalists on why the helicopter was yet to commence operations despite promises made by the agency that the project would be launched soon.

Recall that in January 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari directed NASENI to collaborate with Dynali Company, a Belgian Helicopter Manufacturing Company, for the local production of helicopters.

The NASENI DG, however, noted that the helicopter was not ready for operation due to certain safety, regulatory and international requirements