By Chinelo Obogo, talktonelo@yahoo.com
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has raised the alarm over the rise of illegal charter operations which he says has become a major security threat to Nigeria’s safety.
Speaking in his Abuja office on Thursday during the inauguration of the ministerial task force on illegal private charter operations and related matters, he said these illicit activities not only deprive the government of significant revenue but that the lack of regulation surrounding these private jet operations creates a breeding ground for criminal activity, including money laundering and drug trafficking.
He revealed that Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) operators were exploiting loopholes in the system and conducting illegal charters under the guise of legitimate operations. This, he said, often involves the collusion of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who collect fees and turn a blind eye to the illegal operations of the flights.
Keyamo further said that alarming reports received by his ministry, suggests that some pilots haven’t undergone mandatory simulator training in years and may be flying with fraudulently obtained licenses. These individuals, he said, pose a huge safety risk, especially when operating aircraft under the guise of legitimate PNCF flights.
“We have identified problematic issues within the aviation industry that we must tackle headlong. In my various engagements with the press, I have reeled out a number of these issues and steps we are already taking to tackle them. One of such issues is what we are gathered for here today. It has come to my attention, through a series of disturbing reports that the practice of illegal charter operations is thriving within the aviation industry, thereby undermining the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulatory bodies.
“These illicit activities have not only resulted in significant financial losses to the Federal Government, but have also raised security and safety concerns as the operations of private aircraft owners have remained largely unchecked and unregulated. This has also resulted in using these private aircrafts 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 the use of private aircrafts in the country. It appears that Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) operators have become increasingly emboldened, continuing their illegal operations with the assistance of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) 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 trainings 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,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and spoke of his commitment to tackling it head-on by setting up a task force to address the issue. He said the task force will take inventory of all PNCF holders and AOC holders, determine why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls, call in all professional licenses of pilots and crew in the country and determine their authenticity and validity.
The task force would also recommend to the minister any additional measures to be taken by regulatory agencies, recommend appropriate sanctions to be imposed by the regulatory agencies on defaulters, recommend additional measures to further monitor the operations and activities of private aircraft in Nigeria. The members of the task force were selected from within the aviation industry and they are; Capt. Ado Sanusi, chairman, Capt. Roland lyayi, vice chairman, Director of Air Transport, Federal Ministry of Aviation, secretary, Theresa Babaoye, member, one nominee from the National Security Adviser, member, Capt. Daniel Quansah, member, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo, member and Obafemi Bajomo, member. The task force is expected to work for three months, except circumstances require some extension.
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