Reps didn’t tell FG to revoke private airstrips’ licenses – Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, has debunked a report that alleged that the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to stop the issuance of airstrip licenses.

The report claimed that lawmakers called for the withdrawal of the approved airstrip license granted to the Living Faith Church known as Winners Chapel and private individuals and organizations, to safeguard national security.

However, Keyamo debunked the report on Friday morning in a post he shared on his official X account, saying the claim was not correct.

“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,” Keyamo clarified.

“Whilst the intention of the honourable 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.”

Keyamo explained that the responsibility of the owners of private airstrips is to build the runway and terminal building.

He said that after they built the control tower in particular it was completely handed over to the Federal Government through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria.

According to him, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is usually signed with NAMA before the airstrip is approved for operations.

He added that NAMA provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in all airports and airstrips in Nigeria and that the private airstrip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.

The minister said no object flies into Nigeria without prior clearance by NAMA and a clear flight plan for 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 said.

“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 authorisation.

“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.”