Following a report by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities involving private aircraft in the country, the Federal Government is poised to scrutinise the operations of private jet owners in the country.
In a renewed move to clamp down on illegal charter operations by privately-owned non-commercial aircraft, the government has inaugurated an eight-man ministerial task force to investigate their activities.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the inauguration, said his attention was drawn to the illegal charter operations in the industry, thereby undermining the efforts of regulators.
He recalled raising concerns over the safety of operations of the private aircraft, which remained largely unchecked and unregulated, leading to the use of private aircraft for illegal activities.
Keyamo said: “It appears that privately-owned non-commercial aircraft operators have become increasingly emboldened in their illegal operations, often with the assistance of air operator certificate holders who collect tolls.”
The minister noted that he had also received reports that some crew members had not attended the mandatory simulator training for nearly three years but had obtained fraudulent licences.
“Unfortunately, many of these unchecked cases fall under the Private Non-Commercial (PNC) flight operator holder category, as Air Navigation Commission (ANC) holders are regularly checked,” he added.
According to him, many individuals registered under PNC are conducting illegal charter operations with impunity.
He said in alignment with his five-point agenda, he was compelled to take decisive action, and having consulted with individuals, regulators and many industry captains privately about their views on the matter, they all agreed that something must be done.
Keyamo stated: “The Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters is being inaugurated with terms of reference to; Take inventory of all PNC holders and ANC holders across the country.
“Others include determining why illegal charter operations by PNC holders exist in the country despite regulatory control; reviewing all professional licences of pilots and crew members in the country to determine their authenticity and validity; recommend additional regulatory agencies to curb the trend.”
The taskforce is also expected to recommend appropriate sanctions for errant operators, recommend additional measures to monitor the activities of private aircraft and address any other terms of reference determined by the minister.
Members of the task force, Keyamo noted, were carefully selected from within the aviation industry, as they are individuals of high repute and integrity, including representatives from other sectors and the NSA.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Capt Ado Sanusi, said they were committed to ensuring that all sharp practices were brought to the minister’s attention.
