Minister Festus Keyamo inaugurated an 8-man Task Force on June 27th, 2024, to address illegal charter operations in Nigeria directly. The committee is also responsible for investigating crew members flying with potentially fraudulent licenses.
Committee Members
The 8-man Ministerial Task Force includes Capt. Ado Sanusi, Chairman, Capt. Roland Iyayi, Vice Chairman; and the Director of Air Transport, FMA&AD, Secretary. Also included are Theresa Babaoye (DATR-NCAA) and one nominee from the National Security Adviser’s office. Other members are Capt. Daniel Quansah, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo, and Obafemi Bajomo (SA-HMA).
Reason for Committee
During the inauguration, Keyamo said, “It has come to my attention, through a series of disturbing reports, that the practice of illegal charter operations in Nigeria is thriving within the industry. This practice undermines the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulatory bodies.”
“These illicit activities have resulted in significant financial losses to the Federal Government and raised serious security and safety concerns. The operations of private aircraft owners have remained largely unchecked and unregulated,” Keyamo continued. “This has also resulted in the use of these private aircraft for other illegal activities.”
“Last week, the National Security Adviser wrote to us, alerting us of the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities through private aircraft use in the country. It appears that Private Non-Commercial Flight operators have become increasingly emboldened, continuing their illegal operations with assistance from Air Operator Certificate holders who collect tolls and list these illegal charters under their AOCs.”
“Furthermore, we have received alarming reports that some crew members have not attended mandatory simulator training for nearly three years and are flying with fraudulently obtained renewed licenses. Many of these individuals are operating planes registered under PNCF but are conducting illegal charter operations with impunity.”
Terms and References
The task force’s terms of reference include taking inventory of all PNCF holders and AOC holders and determining why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls. It will also call in all professional licenses of pilots and crew in the country and determine their authenticity and validity.
Furthermore, this task force will recommend to the Minister any additional measures needed by regulatory agencies to stem this tide. It will also recommend appropriate sanctions to be imposed on defaulters and additional measures to monitor private aircraft operations.
Similarly, this task force will recommend additional measures to the Minister to be taken by regulatory agencies. It will also suggest sanctions for regulatory agencies to impose on defaulters and measures to monitor private aircraft operations.
Resolve
To address these issues, the committee is tasked with investigating the problem, identifying those involved, and recommending ways to stop illegal operations and improve safety standards.
