By Ola Williams-
House Orders Aviation Minister to revoke Oyedepo’s Private Airstrip License, Citing Security Concerns…
The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, led by Festus Keyamo, to immediately cease issuing airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations, citing concerns over national security.
This decision followed a motion put forward by Sulaiman Gumi (APC-Zamfara) at Wednesday’s plenary session in Abuja on October 30, 2024.
“The country is currently experiencing security challenges through illegal importation and proliferation of firearms and drugs,” Gumi emphasized, adding that private airstrips could potentially escalate these issues.
“We are faced with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers, and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the country.”
The motion called for the immediate withdrawal of all private airstrip approvals previously granted, with the goal of safeguarding national security.
Gumi highlighted that the federal government, under Keyamo’s leadership, recently approved an airstrip for Living Faith Church, known as Winners Chapel, located in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State. He referenced a recent announcement by the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, who on October 6 informed his congregation of this new development.
Recalling past incidents, Gumi pointed to the 2014 controversy involving a private jet reportedly linked to a religious leader, which was seized in South Africa with $9.3 million in cash on board, allegedly intended for arms purchases.
“We are worried that granting airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations could further aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country,” he said.
“This can further heighten insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.”
In response, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas directed the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to oversee the enforcement of this mandate.
