"MOVE TO CLOSE AIRSTRIP DUE TO IGNORANCE"

November 1, 2024

Keyamo, who said this on Friday while reacting to media reports that the House of Representatives asked him to revoke the license of private airstrip, however noted that the House of Representatives as a body did not call him to revoke the license of any private airstrip, rather, a House member moved a motion in that regard.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the motion moved by the House of Representatives for the Aviation Ministry to revoke the license of private airstrip is based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.

He said the responsibility of the owners of private airstrips is just to build the runway and terminal building, and that after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Nigerian government through Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria.

There had been media reports that the House of Representatives on Wednesday called on Keyamo to revoke airstrip licenses approved for Living Faith Church and other individuals.

The House kicked against issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations, citing security issues.

The call followed the adoption of an urgent motion titled “Need To Stop Issuance Of Airstrip License To Private Individuals And Organizations In The Country’ by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during plenary in Abuja.

While moving the motion, Gumi noted that the Federal Government through Keyamo had confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.

The lawmaker further explained that the founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State also informed his congregation that the federal government had approved an airstrip for the church.

But Keyamo in his reaction posted on X on Friday said, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.

“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.

“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.

“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.

“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building.

“But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria.”

The minister said a Memorandum of Understanding is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.

According to him, it is the NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in all airports and airstrips in Nigeria.

“And the private air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services. No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.

“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go.

“So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that,” he added.

The minister further said that one will not be cleared for takeoff or landing without prior request and authorisation.

He said, “I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.

“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”

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Ithink this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip. I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.… https://t.co/cYxwrCDu52 pic.twitter.com/n6XMYfzH1u

— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) November 1, 2024

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