Minister Clarifies House of Representatives Did Not Request Revocation of Airstrip Licenses

 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has addressed recent reports suggesting that the House of Representatives called for the revocation of airstrip licenses, including that of Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church. In a statement posted on X on November 1, Keyamo clarified that the House did not make any formal request for the revocation of licenses for private airstrips.

Keyamo explained that while a motion regarding private airstrip licenses was raised in the House, it was referred to the Aviation Committee for further examination rather than being an official directive. He noted, "The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip." He emphasized that the motion stemmed from a misunderstanding of the aviation sector's workings.

The minister elaborated on the regulatory framework governing private airstrips, stating that owners are responsible for constructing the runway and terminal facilities. However, once these structures, particularly control towers, are built, they are handed over to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), which oversees the airspace and ensures safety and compliance with aviation regulations.

Keyamo further assured that all aircraft entering Nigeria must first land at international airports for proper processing before proceeding to any local airstrips. "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," he emphasized, explaining that prior clearance and authorization from NAMA are mandatory for all flights.

In closing, he expressed gratitude to the member who initiated the motion for their patriotic intent but advised that they should have sought clarification from the ministry beforehand. Keyamo shared relevant information about the NAMA Act, which grants exclusive control of Nigeria's airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA, to provide clarity on the matter.