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Federal Government Renames Aviation Ministry

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace of Nigeria.

 

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, made these known in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

This announcement came shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

During the announcement, Sirika clarified that the decision to make this alteration was prompted by the fact that aviation is listed as an exclusive item under the government’s jurisdiction.

 

Senator Hadi Sirika emphasized that the progress of the aviation industry had reached a point where aviation and aerospace were closely intertwined.

 

He highlighted the importance for Nigeria to take proactive measures in aligning its policies with future developments in the sector.

 

The minister also drew a connection between this renaming and the establishment of the African Aerospace and Aviation University, situated in Abuja.

 

In addition, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) granted approval for the concessioning of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

 

Senator Hadi Sirika further revealed that the concession agreement for the Abuja airport would span 20 years, while the Kano airport would be concessioned for a period of 30 years.

 

Furthermore, in a related development, the FEC approved the resumption of on-street parking, commonly known as Park and Pay, in the capital city of Nigeria.

 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made the announcement regarding the resumption of on-street parking, stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been pursuing legal amendments. As a result, the memo regarding on-street parking received official ratification.

 

Mohammed reminded the public that on-street parking had initially been introduced in 2012 but was discontinued following a court ruling that deemed it illegal. However, with the recent approval, on-street parking would immediately resume.

 

The information minister also disclosed that the Second Niger Bridge was ready for commissioning on May 20, nine days before the official handover.

 

Earlier, FEC approved $4.7 billion for the development of the Ondo Multi-Purpose Port, Ilaje; Snake Island in Lagos; and Burutu in Delta State.

 

Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the Minister of State for Transportation, informed State House Correspondents that the aforementioned projects would be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, without any financial burden on the Federal Government.

 

He revealed that the development of the Ondo port would require an investment of $1.48 billion from the private developers. The port would be concessioned for a period of 50 years, with an estimated total revenue of $50 billion for the concessionaire and $2.6 billion for the Federal Government.

Aviation

Akwa Ibom Boosts Ibom Air Fleet With Two New Aircraft

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In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.

The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.

READ ALSO: FCTA Allocates N9.8bn To Upgrade Abuja Airport’s Presidential Wing

At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.

He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.

The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.

“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.

Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.

Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.

Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.

Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.

Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.

Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.

Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.

Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.

 

 

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Aviation

BREAKING: Private Air Strip Owners Pay Handsomely – Keyamo

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Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.

He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.

Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”

ALSO READ: Why Foreign Airlines Must Patronise Nigerian Caterers – Keyamo

Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry  was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.

He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”

Keyamo wrote, “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 Hon. 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 air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.

“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips 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.

“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.

“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, 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.

“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.

“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”

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Aviation

Helicopter Crash: Search Still On-going, No Additional Bodies Found

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The NNPC Ltd has clarified that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.

ALSO READ: People Ponder Cause Of Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash

“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.

“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.

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