ATCL in yet another turbulence as CEO, director suspended

DAILY NEWS Reporter

Captain Johnson Mfinanga

The pilot in question, whose name has not been disclosed, is said to lack required qualifications to be considered for training and flying the two air-crafts expected here soon.

THE Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), Captain Johnson Mfinanga, and the national carrier’s Director of Operations, Captain Sadick Muze, have been suspended for picking an unqualified pilot for training in Canada.

A team of five pilots from Tanzania is scheduled to travel to Canada to undergo training on flying of two aircrafts, which have been purchased by the government from Canada’s airplane manufacturer, Bombardier.

The planes are expected to arrive in the country by midnext month.

However, speaking to journalists in Kyela District, Mbeya Region yesterday, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, said he had suspended the airline’s top executives for choosing unqualified pilot to take part in the training.

The pilot in question, whose name has not been disclosed, is said to lack required qualifications to be considered for the training and eventually flying of the two aircrafts. “Soon after the government made down payments for the two planes, I directed the Acting CEO to choose five qualified pilots for training in Canada.

“Later on, it came to my attention that one of the pilots selected for the training was not qualified; and therefore, I have decided to suspend the Acting CEO and Director of Operations for negligence,” the minister remarked.

Prof Mbarawa went on to reiterate that all public servants must fulfil their obligations by adhering to laid down regulations and legislations, failure of which they will face disciplinary action. During the current financial year, the government has allocated a total of 500m/- to purchase three new aircrafts as part of efforts to revamp the ailing airline.