FG to release report on illegal aircraft charter operators
BY CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Air Charter Operations and Related Matters would be ready very soon.
Speaking in Abuja, Keyamo said that the committee on illegal charter operators, in the course of their duties, unearthed several discrepancies in the system.
Though the committee was given just three months to submit its report to the government for necessary action, Keyamo said that the enormous work done by the committee necessitated the extension.
He said: “They (the committee) sought for extension twice and they have done very extensive work. They are about to submit their report now, but in the course of their work, they uncovered a lot, but I won’t let the cat out of the bag now. In fact, they also grounded a few private operators who were caught in the act during their work.
“We are going to make our report public, but the three months was not enough for them. This is to show you how enormous the work is, led by Capt. Ado Sanusi as the Chairman and Roland Iyayi as the Vice Chairman. So, we are expecting their report any moment from now. They actually sought my extension.”
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Keyamo had on June 27, 2024, set up a Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Air Charter Operations and Related Matters.
This follows several complaints by legitimate commercial air charter operators and on the back of disturbing security reports emanating from the country’s security institutions, alleging amongst other things illicit money laundering and nefarious drug smuggling operations.
The committee in its preliminary report fingered high-net-worth individuals in the scandal, which has consistently put a question mark on the adherence to regulations by the Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF).
The committee in its preliminary report, also alleged that the illicit act was not limited to small time operators alone, stressing that the conditions attached to the issuance of the PNCF are grossly violated by the operators.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aero Contractors was appointed as its Chairman, while Capt. Roland lyayi was selected as its Vice Chairman.
Other members of the committee are Director of Air Transport, Federal Ministry of Aviation (Secretary), Theresa Babaoye; Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR), NCAA – member, one nominee from the National Security Adviser; Member, Capt. Daniel Quansah – Member, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo; Member and Obafemi Bajomo; Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development as a member.
