FG Inaugurates Task Force To Curb Illicit Drug Importation Via Non-Commercial Jets

Nigeria’s Federal Government has inaugurated an eight-man ministerial task force to investigate the rising spike in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities involving the use of private aircraft.

This was disclosed following a report by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, as the proliferation of illicit drugs is on the rise.

During the inauguration on Thursday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said his attention was drawn to the illegal charter operations, describing it as a move to undermine the efforts of regulators in the industry.

While speaking, he recalled raising concerns over the safety of operations of private-owned aircraft, which largely remained unchecked and unregulated, leading to its porous use for illegal activities.

It appears that privately-owned non-commercial aircraft operators have become increasingly emboldened in their illegal operations, often with the assistance of air operator certificate holders who collect tolls,” he said.

“I have also received reports that some crew members had not attended the mandatory simulator training for nearly three years but had obtained fraudulent licences.”

Many individuals registered under Private Non-Commercial (PNC) are conducting illegal charter operations with impunity, ” he added.

However, in alignment with his five-point agenda, he said he consulted individuals, regulators and many industry captains privately to get their views on the situation, and they all agreed that something must be done, following which the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters in being inaugurated.

Keyamo noted the task force’s function is to take inventory of all PNC and Air Navigation Commission (ANC) holders across airports in the country.

Also, to determine why illegal charter operations by PNC holders exist despite regulatory control, reviewing all professional licences of pilots and crew members for authenticity and validity and recommendations to regulatory bodies to curb the practice.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Capt Ado Sanusi, said they were committed to ensuring all irregularities are brought to the minister’s notice.

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