•as FG mulls shutting down GAT to regulate private jet owners
The Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force set up by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Captain Ado Sanusi, on Tuesday in Abuja, while presenting their report, identified critical challenges facing illegal charter operations in the country.
He explained that regulatory weaknesses, loopholes in the permit for non-commercial flights system, inadequate oversight and security vulnerabilities has caused significant revenue loss to the federal government, amounting to over N120 billion in the last 10 years.
Sanusi said the Task Force findings show that these illegal activities not only pose risks to aviation safety but also create an uneven playing field for legitimate operators.
He stated that, as highlighted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), 90 percent of criminal activities occur at the GAT, including money laundering, fugitive transfers, and drug trafficking—all conducted at the GAT, Abuja airport.
The task force, however, suggested that the GAT should immediately be shut down, reorganized, and reopened for business, as pointed out by the ICAO security audit. He said ithat mplementing these measures would not only curb illegal activities but also foster a more structured and efficient revenue-generating aviation sector.
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While receiving the report, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the issue of illegal charter operations by private jets and aircraft owners who obtain licenses under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) but then use the aircraft for illegal transactions has become endemic in the aviation sector.
“When I resumed office, they said I should let it go because, principally, it was difficult to regulate holders of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) in the country, as those involved are the untouchables in society.
“But my background, both from civil society and before I became Minister, was as a prosecutor with the EFCC for years. My duty is to touch the untouchable. That is my duty. I was trained to touch the untouchable.”
Keyamo noted that the problem is a national security issue, adding that the inability of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate the operations of PNCF holders has led to illegal charter services.
“Since these services cannot be tracked, they have facilitated money laundering, drug and human trafficking, and illegal entry and exit into the country,” Keyamo said.
The Minister commended the efforts of the Task force in producing the report and outlining recommendations to tackle the challenge.
He assured that the ministry would critically examine the report and its recommendations, stressing that it would not be swept under the carpet.
“If we have to shut down GAT we will do so , in other to to bring some sanity to aircraft chatter services in the country “
Keyamo revealed that the report would be submitted to the Presidency for advice on implementation of the recommendations.
He also directed the NCAA to publish the list of legal PNCF holders in newspapers and at airports to curb illegal operators.
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