NCAA suspends four aviation marketers over fuel contamination

.Sets up 35-member probe panel

To rid the country’s aviation industry of fuel contamination, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), yesterday, revealed that it has suspended about four unlicensed aviation fuel marketers from the airports.

According to the authority, collaborations among aviation agencies, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Department of State Services (DSS) led to the identification of all non-licensed marketers and those with expired licences and their suspension from Nigerian airports.

It revealed that of the 46 licensed aviation fuel marketers in the country, 36 are with valid licence, five with non-valid and five with expired licences. However, after thorough investigations, four marketers were suspended from the airports.

The development was against the backdrop of rampant aviation fuel contamination cases, especially the Max Air fuel incident in Yola, Adamawa State that led to a lot of fuss.

NCAA Director-General, Capt. Nuhu Musa, while inaugurating a 35-man joint audit committee of all aviation fuel activities in Nigeria, yesterday, in Abuja, revealed that the members were drawn from Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, (NSIB), NCAA, FAAN, DSS, NMPDRA and the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN).

The DG, who was represented by the Director, Operation and Training Standards, Capt. Ibrahim Dambazau, further stated that All Operators Letter (AOL) had been issued mandating all operators to comply with all requirements for fuelling, adding that the authority also heightened surveillance to ensure full compliance.

He mentioned that the joint committee was mandated to conduct a holistic review and audit all marketers, fuelling facilities and equipment from the initial source of the fuel to the point of fuelling into the aircraft.

The committee, which has a 60-day timeline, was also mandated to identify causes, proffer solutions and recommendations that would improve the level of safety in the aviation industry in Nigeria. The terms of reference include touring the country to ensure compliance with all regulator and safety requirements.

NCAA Director Airworthiness Standards, Abatan Gbolahan, assured that the surveillance would be continuous to ensure operators maintain standards.

Chairman of the Committee, Christopher Kwasar, assured that they would work assiduously, diligently, and harmoniously to come up with report that will form a roadmap for future endeavours regarding aviation fuel for the benefit of the country.