Aviation
Saudi Arabia Cargo landing mishap stalls Odua’s appearance in senate
…As IGP, Service Chiefs failed to brief senate on emergency rule
ABUJA – THE landing problem of the Saudi Arabia Cargo Aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport yesterday stalled the appearance of the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah to the senate on issues surrounding aviation sector and some of the recent air mishaps that have claimed lots of lives in the country.
Meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and his counterpart in navy Vice Admiral dele Ezeoba were among the security chiefs that also could not appear before senate to give situation reports on the security situation in the country as it concerns the emergency rule in the three states of the North East.
Princess Odua and the Chief Executive Officers of parastals under the aviation Ministry were scheduled for the third time to appear before the senate on Thursday but the landing problem of the Saudi Arabia cargo aircraft made them to once again reschedule their appearance to Tuesday next week.
Briefing journalists on the reason that stalled the appearance of the minister, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation Hope Uzodinma said that because of the closure of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, princess Odua was unable to honour the invitation.
Senator Uzodinma said, “Definitely, we will not be able to continue today because of the emergency development. The 747 aircraft cargo aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia airline has some problems landing into Abuja and as result, the runway is closed and has disrupted flight operations since morning.
“So all the agencies in the aviation ministry with their chief executives are all there battling to ensure that the aircraft is removed from the runway and normal operations start again. Julius Berger has been invited; they are working with Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB and the rest of them and senior officers FAAN, NCAA.
“So it has become very necessary that we allow them sufficient time solve that national challenge. We have been able to take Tuesday, which is the next legislative day, after session by 2 o’clock to now have the minister and her team in audience. So it is necessary to let you know so that the story is said in the right perspective. That is how we have seen it and that is where we are now.”
It will be recalled that the first time the minister was billed to appear before the senate, the U-17 World cup stalled it because the Senate President David Mark who had indicated interest in being present at the senate was nominated to lead the Federal Government delegation to Saudi Arabia, though Mark had flight challenges and could not make the trip.
The second time was when the senate rescinded its decision that the minister should appear at the planary and directed that she rather appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation.
On the absence of the security chiefs, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe said, “The planned briefing by the Service Chiefs and the heads of the other security agencies including the Inspector General of Police could not hold because it is a very delicate issue and we found that some of the heads of these agencies and military formations were not available.
“We felt that what we are trying to get is of sufficient importance to the nation that we felt that we would not get the comprehensive briefing if those persons were not present. Therefore we resolved to postpone the briefing to another legislative day and we will also meet and give another date to the Service Chiefs to come to brief us.”
Senator Abaribe however, said that the Security Chiefs did not give reasons for their absence, but that “They did not say so. They just felt that there were some logistic reasons that made them not to be available and that that is why we decided to postpone the briefing.”
Commenting on the feelings of the senate on the recent attack in Maiduguri, Senator Abaribe said, “You will recall that they were to come to brief us on Tuesday and we postponed it till today to be able to also have briefing on what happened last Monday.
“Of course, the Senate does not feel particularly happy about. We are very worried about the security situation and that is why we wanted a firsthand briefing and that is the reason we felt that we would not want to do briefing that some units would do the briefing and some would say let us come later.
“We want everybody to be available so that we can get a comprehensive view of it. The Senate is very worried about what happened in Maiduguri.”
on the pending 2014 budget and the controversy over the benchmark by the two legislative chambers, he said, “Well the committee (Conference Committee) has not met principally because of the members of the committee nominated by the House of Representatives.
“I think a couple of them are not in the country and the House had to have a time to nominate other people in their place and we are expecting that will be done as soon as possible and once that is done we will meet and definitely we will come to a very quick inclusion on the matter because we are also worried that the budget is still not available to the National Assembly and to Nigerians as a whole.”
– VANGUARD
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced stringent measures against pilots and crew members who work for multiple airlines concurrently, a practice it describes as a serious safety violation.
In a letter dated November 6, 2024, Acting Director-General, Chris Nojomo warned that pilots operating for more than one airline without specific safety protocols pose significant risks to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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The directive, titled “Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operators for Multiple Airlines,” noted that NCAA surveillance reports revealed multiple cases of unauthorized cross-airline work by flight crews, which the agency now plans to address.
According to the NCAA, simulator and proficiency checks endorsed on a pilot’s license are valid only for the specific airline and training program under which they were issued.
The letter stated, “With effect from the date of issuance of this directive, all operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”
The NCAA’s new policy, effective November 11, 2024, warns that violators will face strict enforcement actions. Moving forward, simulator renewals will also be filed directly with individual operators, further tightening the agency’s oversight.
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.
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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.
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.”
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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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