Skip to main content

FG records huge revenue loss to illegal PNCF operators annually

 


LAGOS - The Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters in its preliminary findings disclosed that Nigeria records huge losses in revenue to illegal permit for non commercial flights, PNCF, operators on a yearly basis. 


The Chairman of the Task Force, Capt. Ado Sanusi disclosed this on Friday, while speaking with aviation journalists in Lagos.


Sanusi also said that the taskforce established the fact that indeed, some high net worth individuals in Nigeria use private jets for commercial services, an illegal conduct that has persisted for more than 20 years.


According to Sanusi, there are indications that some Flight Plans are filed without getting to their destinations and that there are Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders who collaborate with illegal PNCF operators to perpetuate the act.


Sanusi had said that the case of illegal PNCF operations is not peculiar to Nigeria, the intention was to bring it down to the lowest level.


"I do not think any country can completely tackle illegal charters but we need to bring it to as low as we can," Sanusi said.


Spokesman and Vice Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Roland lyayi said that the Task Force spent the first two weeks gathering data and that the coming weeks would feature a review and analysis of the data gathered.


“In 2005, there were 44 private business jets in Nigeria. In 2024, it has increased to 157,” he said, adding that there are 62 PNCF operators in the registry of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). 


He said the Task Force had uncovered the prevalence of illegal charter operations and established that there are elements of conflict in the regulatory regime for PNCF operators as there are foreign registered aircraft that do not come under the purview of NCAA registration. 


He said that from the data gathered on operations in two years, aircraft used for PNCF are recording 46 flight hours in one month.


“We want to establish what are the issues, why the issues persist and to come up with recommendations on how to tackle the issues,” he said.


Iyayi further stated that the taskforce intended to engage the public in its information gathering process to extract information. 


He said that they expect voluntary input from the personnel used for such illegal activities and would not make any conclusion until they have heard from both the industry regulators and operators.


The taskforce is calling on those with vital information that would help the investigation to forward their information to MTF@aviation.gov.ng or call 09082222259.


Iyayi said: "We will conduct whistle blowers’ interviews structured in such a way that identities of those providing information are protected.


Other members of the Task Force are Director of Air Transport, FMA&AD – Secretary, Theresa A. Babaoye (DATR-NCAA), One Nominee from the National Security Adviser, Capt. Daniel, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo and Obafemi Bajomo (SA-HMA).


Recall that the taskforce was inaugurated on June 27, 2024 by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN saddled with the responsibility to take inventory of all PNCF holders and AOC holders, to determine why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls among others .


By Editor 2



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Air Traffic Communicators to examine strategies on AFTN/AMHS, AI integration

  LAGOS - The National Air traffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN) says it was strategising a sustainable Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN)/Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) through integrating Artificial Intelligence.  The President of NACAN, Alhaji Rabiu Sani made the assertion in statement dated November 25, in Abuja and made available to newsmen on Tuesday. Sani said that plans have been concluded to hold the association's Annual General Meeting on December 4 in Abuja, where aviation stakeholders would deliberate on critical matters regarding AFTN/AMHS and AI collaboration in the ecosystem. According to Sani, the event has as its theme: 'Building a Smarter, More Sustainable AFTN/AMHS through AI Collaboration.' He disclosed that Mr Umar Farouk, Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency would feature as the chief host while all the captains of aviation parastatals would be Special Guests.  Sani stated that a sea...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dati lauds FAAN MD for prioritising safety trainings

Editor 1 LAGOS - An aviation professional, Mr Yakubu Dati, has applauded the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, for prioritising training of aviation professionals to match current industry needs. Dati, a former General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, made the commendation on Friday in Lagos. He said that capacity development was necessary following developments in the aviation industry with particular regard to the re-certification of Lagos and Abuja airports by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Cape Town Convention.   Dati said that within a short time of assuming office, Kuku had been able to improve operations in all federal airports.   According to him, Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention Compliance Index had moved to 75 per cent from about 35 per cent under Kuku’s administration. He said that the improvement officially removed Nigeria from the Aviation Working Committee watchlist of non-compliant countrie...
Post a Comment
Read more

NIM, SMEDAN partner to deepen MSME, human capital development

  L-R: Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd.), Deputy President, NIM, Dr Christiana Atako, President, NIM and Mr Daberuje Lawal, representative of the Director General, SMEDAN, during a courtesy visit of the Institute to SMEDAN headquarters recently LAGOS - The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (NIM) says it is set to deepen its existing partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The NIM President, Dr Christiana Atako, disclosed the institute’s position during a hybrid meeting on Wednesday at the SMEDAN headquarters. This move, Atako said, was to enhance human capital development and engender Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) longevity in the country. ***Advertisement*** She said the meeting was to work out modalities to continue with the training initiative the Institute started with the agency last year. She urged the agency, asides its mandate as the voice and intermediary of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) an...
Post a Comment
Read more