Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared war on illegal charter operations, vowing sustain crack down on culprits.
He said that the federal government will no longer tolerate aviation law violations as they have far-reaching economic and security implications.
Keyamo made this declaration in Abuja while receiving the final report from the seven-member Committee on Illegal Chartered Operations and Related Matters, which was tasked with investigating and addressing the growing concerns over unauthorized private charter activities.
He said: “This practice has been on for many years before I became Minister, but I thought there was a need to confront it headlong.
“When you cannot track them, it leads to money laundering, drug trafficking, illegal entry and exit into the country and all kinds of illegal activities.”
He stressed that under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the aviation ministry remains resolute in safeguarding the sector by eliminating illicit activities that undermine safety, security and fair competition.
The committee’s findings, presented by its chairman, Captain Ado Sanusi, exposed major challenges in Nigeria’s private charter industry, including regulatory loopholes, weak oversight, security risks, and significant revenue losses to the government. He noted that many operators exploit the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) license to conduct unauthorized commercial activities, creating an unfair advantage over legitimate operators.
“Our recommendations focus on strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing security measures, improving compliance with aviation laws, and ensuring transparency in private charter operations,” Capt. Sanusi explained, urging the minister to fast-track the implementation of the committee’s proposals for a more viable aviation industry.
Keyamo commended the committee for its diligence and assured that the report “will not be swept under the carpet.” He also praised the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for providing crucial documents that facilitated the investigation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, lauded Keyamo’s commitment to revitalising the aviation sector, reaffirming that the ministry will act decisively on the committee’s recommendations.
He assured that with the renewed commitment, the Nigerian aviation sector was positioned for stronger regulatory enforcement, improved security and a fairer operating environment for legitimate businesses.
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