The acting director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, said all private jets operating as charter operators will have their licences revoked.
Najomo also disclosed that the agency will not be relocating its headquarters to Lagos.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists to unveil his vision for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, titled “NCAA Project 2024,” in Lagos, Capt. Najomo said NCAA headquarters remain in Abuja, expressed concern over the illicit activities of illegal private jet operators in the country, and said if private jets want to operate as commercial or charter operators, they should apply for commercial licences.
Recall that recently, a preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau revealed Flint Aero aircraft, which crashed at Ibadan Airport in November 2023 while carrying the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, showed that it was operating illegally.
Highlighting the regulatory framework, Najomo said that only holders of Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Airline Operating Permit (AOP) with a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) are authorised to conduct charter operations.
He also stated that the NCAA will cease offering services to all debtors who have refused to pay the NCAA and federal government monies owed them, noting that almost all airlines are guilty of this.
He also said the NCAA is committed to simplified certification and licencing processes, as this will ensure ease of doing business.
Najomo further stated that one of his 2024 projects is to ensure improved staff welfare through training, retraining, and reorientation of staff.
On the purported plan to relocate, Najomo said, “NCAA has not gotten a directive to relocate; we are still in Abuja,” the acting DG said.
NCAA was one of the agencies the former minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Sen. Hadi Sirika, asked to relocate their head office to Abuja in 2020.
However, the directive by the current Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, directing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to relocate to Lagos raised speculation that other aviation agencies may follow suit.
Also, criticism followed FAAN’s relocation, with stakeholders describing it as a misplaced priority.
According to the general secretary of the Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI), Olumide Ohunayo, the Minister should be bothered about providing quality and efficient facilities rather than relocating the agencies.
