Report on illegal charter operators will be out soon – Keyamo

Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has said that the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Air Charter Operations and Related Matters would be ready very soon.
Keyamo also said that he believed in a national carrier project, but not one that benefits foreign countries at the expense of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent on Wednesday in Abuja, Keyamo said that the committee on illegal charter operators, in the course of their duties, unearthed several discrepancies in the system.
Though the committee was given just three months to submit its report to the government for necessary action, Keyamo said that the enormous work done by the committee necessitated the extension.
He said: “They (the committee)sought for extension twice and they have done very extensive work. They are about to submit their report now, but in the course of their work, they uncovered a lot, but I won’t let the cat out of the bag now. In fact, they also grounded a few private operators who were caught in the act during their work.
“We are going to make our report public, but the three months was not enough for them. This is to show you how enormous the work is, led by Capt. Ado Sanusi as the Chairman and Capt. Roland Iyayi as the Vice Chairman. So, we are expecting their report any moment from now. They actually sought my extension.”
Keyamo had on June 27, 2024, set up a Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Air Charter Operations and Related Matters.
This follows several complaints by legitimate commercial air charter operators and on the back of disturbing security reports emanating from the country’s security institutions, alleging amongst other things illicit money laundering and nefarious drug smuggling operations.
The committee in a preliminary report, obtained by Daily Independent last July, exposed the use of private foreign registered aircraft for illegal charter operations by some chartered operators in the country.
The committee also fingered high-net-worth individuals in the scandal, which has consistently put a question mark on the adherence to regulations by the Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF).
The committee in its preliminary report, also alleged that the illicit act was not limited to small time operators alone, stressing that the conditions attached to the issuance of the PNCF are grossly violated by the operators.

Capt. Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aero Contractors was appointed as its Chairman, while Capt. Roland lyayi was selected as its Vice Chairman.
Other members of the committee are Director of Air Transport, Federal Ministry of Aviation (Secretary), Theresa Babaoye; Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR), NCAA – member, one nominee from the National Security Adviser; Member, Capt. Daniel Quansah – Member, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo; Member and Obafemi Bajomo; Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development as a member.
Keyamo also assured that the Maiduguri International Airport would be ready for international operations in the next few weeks.
He explained that almost all the facilities were on ground for smooth take off, adding that the Borno State Government had done its own part by extending the terminal building – departure and arrival halls.
He assured that the ministry would return to the airport in the next few weeks for firsthand information.
On the suspended national carrier project, Keyamo reiterated his support for the scheme, but said it must be the one that is beneficial to all Nigerians.
“I believe in a national carrier project that is beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians and the one that is propelled and supported by Nigeria especially and for the benefit of Nigerians, but not one essentially that would benefit a foreign country,” he said.