The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has decried that the operations of private aircraft owners in Nigeria have remained largely unchecked and unregulated going by the security concerns and reports.
He disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating an 8-man ministerial taskforce committee on illegal private chattered operations related matters.
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 Mr President.
He 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.
Keyamo urged that 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’ skies adheres to the highest standards of safety and legality.
He said the task force members who have been carefully selected from within and outside the aviation industry are mandated among others to take inventory of all Private Non-commercial Flight (PNCF) holders and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders.
The minister stressed the committee was also charged to determine why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls.
Keyamo noted: “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.”
