The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the medical certificates of five Cabin Crew members on account of drug related offences.
The five crew members (names withheld) tested positive to marijuana (Tetra Hydro Cannabinol – THC) during a Multi – Drug Screening Test (MDST) conducted on participants of the Cabin Crew Training Basic Course – 30 (CCTB – 30) at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, Kaduna State on 2nd June 2016.
A statement by Sam Adurogboye general manager public affairs N CAA said their suspension was in furtherance of its heightened safety oversight. According to the statement, In the light of the above and in accordance with the provision of Part 2.11.1.8 (f) (i) of the Nig. NCARs 2015, the NCAA suspended their medical certificate for a period of 180 days from the date of receipt of NCAA letter to them.
It will also put on hold the processing of their initial cabin crew licence and will be requested to repeat the examination but will not be issued the cabin crew licence even if they pass the examination until they are successfully rehabilitated and re – issued the medical certificate.
They are mandated to undergo rehabilitation for psychoactive substance abuse under the strict supervision of a consultant psychiatrist at designated medical centres forthwith. According to NCAA, at the end of the rehabilitation exercise, a report is expected to be forwarded in strict confidence by the medical centre to the Authority for consideration of re – issuance of their medical certificate in accordance with the provisions of Part 2.2.9.2 (a) of the Nig. NCARs 2015. “Upon receipt of the test result from NCAT Zaria where they went for training before they got involved, NCAA issued a letter of investigation (LOI) to the involved crew members and they responded.
The Authority accordingly considered their responses which were in writing after it had been duly established that they all tested positive to Tetra Hydro Cannabinol (THC – Marijuana). This is a substance deemed under Part 1.2.1.8. of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. NCARs) 2015 to be a psychoactive substance which made the defaulters disoriented and thereby violated Part 2.11.2.7 (b) (2) (a) (ii) of the Nig. NCARs 2015″ He said consequent upon the findings, the defaulted crew members no longer meet the requirements for the issuance of a Cabin Crew licence.. It further explained that the authorty expected strict compliance by the suspended Crew members without which their Medical Certificates would not be issued.