The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the House of Representatives has not directed the revocation of the airstrip licence granted to Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church.
Keyamo also clarified the process of obtaining airstrip licence saying that the airstrips are handed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The clarification on Friday was following reports that lawmakers have ordered the revocation of Oyedepo’s airstrip licence.
A motion titled, ‘Need to Stop Issuance of Airstrip Licence to Private Individuals and Organisations in the Country,’ was moved by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during plenary in Abuja.
According to reports, the motion was adopted but Keyamo said the adoption of the motion was misinterpreted by some platforms to mean the withdrawal of the newly licenced airstrip in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
The Minister said, “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. 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. The responsibility of the owners of private airstrips is just to build the runway and terminal building.
“But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.”
Keyamo further explained that it is the responsibility of NAMA to provide the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in all airports and airstrips in Nigeria.
He said private airstrip owners pay the Federal Government “handsomely” for these services.
Keyamo said, “No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, 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.
“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.”