- No adequate provision was made when the Buhari Administration moved FAAN to Abuja
- FG Investigating botched Nigeria Air project
By Ayomide JosephÂ
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo further clarified the reasoning behind relocating the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos.
According to Keyamo, this move is expected to yield significant savings for the government, specifically exceeding N450 million in airfares annually, previously spent on officials commuting from Abuja to Lagos for meetings.
While speaking on “Politics Today,” a Channels TV evening broadcast on Wednesday, Keyamo affirmed the government’s commitment to the relocation despite facing opposition, notably from Senator Ali Ndume, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and Northern Elders Forum (NEF). Emphasizing economic and operational considerations, Keyamo dismissed suggestions of regional bias.
Addressing criticisms, Minister Keyamo underscored the necessity of the FAAN headquarters’ move in alignment with current economic imperatives. He highlighted the significant annual savings for the government and the Nigerian people, clarifying that this decision falls within his ministerial jurisdiction to ensure transparency.
Keyamo clarified that only the headquarters of one of the seven aviation agencies is being moved, providing historical context regarding the inadequate provisions made for principal officers and support staff when the agencies relocated from Lagos to Abuja in 2020.
Emphasizing the digitalization challenge within FAAN, Keyamo expressed concern about the substantial costs incurred due to officials frequently traveling for routine tasks between Lagos and Abuja.
Contrary to previous claims about equity distribution, Keyamo clarified that the government is not designating any local airline as the national carrier but is dedicated to establishing a proper national carrier.
Keyamo also revealed that the government has finalized plans with undisclosed insurance firms to address flight cancellation issues. Discussions in Abuja with these insurers indicated a commitment to intervening and rectifying challenges in the aviation sector.
These insurers are poised to cover expenses for canceled flights, including accommodation and meals for affected passengers, with the intention of recovering costs from the airlines.
Keyamo concluded by cautioning that airlines without justifiable reasons for flight cancellations will be publicly identified and condemned.
Regarding the Nigeria Air project initiated by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, Minister Keyamo disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is actively investigating it.
This comes after revelations in 2023, where calls were made for the arrest and prosecution of Sirika, who claimed the national carrier would commence operations despite legal constraints.
He said: âThe EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.â
Recall that in 2023, some Nigerians called for the arrest and prosecution of the immediate past Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, after the Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Dayo Olumide, disclosed that the airplane that landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 26, 2023, was a chartered one from Ethiopia Airlines.
Sirika in 2023 affirmed at a Federal Executive Council meeting that the national carrier will begin operations before Buhariâs administration winds down on May 29, 2023, despite an order by a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining Nuhu Musa, director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, from issuing an air operatorâs certificate to the proposed airline.
The former minister claimed that the council also approved the sum of âĤ3.5 billion for a contract for photometric and taxiway lights for Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt airports.
