The senator for Abia North, Orji Kalu, has alleged that some pilots in Nigeria’s aviation sector smoke Indian hemp.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during plenary while supporting a motion that highlighted safety concerns in the wake of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau’s report on the Air Peace runway incident at Port Harcourt International Airport.

“The authorities guiding these pilots, some of them are very lousy. Some of the pilots are not prepared,” Kalu said.

On July 13, an Air Peace flight, P47190, traveling from Lagos to Port Harcourt, skidded off the runway while landing.

Presenting the motion, Abdulfatai Buhari, senator for Oyo North and chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, noted that the incident involving the Air Peace Boeing 737-500 actually occurred on June 22, 2025.

Buhari noted that although no lives were lost, the incident revealed “critical gaps in safety standards, infrastructure management, and operational compliance” in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He expressed concern over a rising number of runway-related incidents and operational challenges, warning that these issues could erode public confidence in air travel.

The lawmaker stated that the NSIB report highlighted deficiencies in runway conditions, airfield lighting, pilot decision-making, and regulatory oversight, stressing the need for prompt corrective action.

He emphasized that aviation safety is vital to national security, economic development, and Nigeria’s standing as a growing air transport hub in Africa.

Seconding the motion, Kalu claimed that some pilots are “careless and inadequately supervised” by the relevant authorities.

“The authorities guiding these pilots, some of them are very lousy. Some of the pilots are not prepared.

“Some of them smoke Indian hemp and some of them are not properly audited by the authorities. They are not doing it.

“Most of these pilots are so careless. All these agencies must look after these pilots and cabin staff. Some of the NCAA must come back to their duty. Also, some of the runways are not in good shape,” Kali stated.