In a bid to stem the practice of illegal chartered operations including illicit activities raising security and safety concerns culminating to significant financial losses to the Federal Government, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has inaugurated a Ministerial Task Force Committee on illegal private chartered operations and related matters.
Speaking at the event which took place on Thursday, June, 27 2024 in Abuja, the Minister who highlighted his 5-Point Agenda which encapsulates Safety, Infrastructure, Support for local operators, Human Capacity Deployment and Revenue generation, said the agenda serves as a guide in discharging the mandate of President Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained that the operations of private aircraft owners have remained largely unchecked and unregulated going by the security reports on the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities through the use of private aircrafts in Nigeria.
Keyamo noted that he was compelled to take decisive action after meeting with the regulators and stakeholders within the aviation industry by setting up a Ministerial Task force.
The Minister urged the Task Force members to work diligently to restore confidence in the aviation industry, to eliminate illegal operations and also to ensure that every flight in the country’s skies adhere to the highest standards of safety and legality.
The Task Force members who were selected from within and outside the aviation industry were charged with the following Terms of Reference:
To take inventory of all Private Non-commercial Flight (PNCF) holders and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders.
To determine why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls.
To call in all professional licenses of pilots and crew in the country and determine their authenticity and validity.
To recommend to the Minister any additional measures to be taken by regulatory agencies to stem the ugly tide.
To recommend appropriate sanctions to be imposed by the regulatory agencies on defaulters.
To recommend additional measures to further monitor the operations and activities of private aircraft in Nigeria.
In his response, the Chairman of the Task Force Committee, Capt. Ado Sanusi appreciated the Minister for the opportunity given to the committee and promised to get to the root of the problems at hand.
The members of the Inaugurated Task Force are as follows; Capt. Ado Sanusi – Chairman; Capt. Roland Iyayi – Vice Chairman; Ag. Director of Air Transport, FMA&AD – Secretary; Theresa A. Babayo (DAYR-NCAA) – Member; A nominee from the National Security Adviser – Member; Capt. Daniel Quansah- Member; Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo – Member; Obafemi Bajomo (SA-HMA) – Member.
