The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has refuted claims that he has been instructed to revoke licenses for private airstrips.
Keyamo clarified that while the motion passed in the House of Representatives against private ownership of airstrips was made with patriotic intent, it was ultimately misguided. He emphasized that private ownership of airstrips does not pose a threat to national security.
According to him, the motion moved would have been avoided if the ministry had been consulted for briefing and explanation on how private airstrip works.
In a statement, on his X handle, on Friday, Keyamo said, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip. I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.
“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector. By the time we explain to them how private airstrips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.”
On monitoring private airstrips, the Aviation Minister stated, “The responsibility of the owners of private airstrips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria.
“An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations. It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in all airports and airstrips in Nigeria. And the privates airstrip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.
“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land. And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country must first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go.”
Keyamo noted that the concerns about private airstrips were already addressed. He added that it would not be possible for any private airstrip owner to fly in and out of the country without authorization.
“So, it is completely and totally impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorization.
“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion. I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA,” Keyamo added.