The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has asserted his legal authority to direct the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspend Dana Airline’s operations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Thursday, Keyamo stated that as a minister, he is accountable to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians, who are his employers.
This assertion comes in the wake of the NCAA’s decision to suspend Dana Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) following a runway incident involving one of the airline’s flights from Abuja to Lagos.
Keyamo’s directive to ground the airline’s operations has received mixed reactions.
During the interview, Keyamo emphasized that he is empowered to direct the NCAA to suspend the operations of any defaulting airline in the country.
He said, “Section 26 says that I can direct them. As a matter of policy, according to the section, I can direct the NCAA to do the right thing in matters of national security. National security is wide enough to cover the health and safety of Nigerians. Section 28 says they have powers of regulations. This is not regulation. It is a matter of doing your work.”
“Let me tell you the intent of those sections. It says the NCAA should not be doing something towards safety. And political interference says that please grant this person a pass or waive this for this person. There would not be political interference that endangers the lives of Nigerians and removes the powers of the NCAA to make safety regulations.”
“However, the reverse is the case here because the minister is telling you please put safety measures in place.”
Keyamo’s statement clarifies his stance on the matter, emphasizing that his directive is in the interest of national security, which encompasses the health and safety of Nigerians.
