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Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has expressed his frustration over the widespread assumption that everyone in Nigeria is an aviation expert, including puff-puff sellers at the airport.
Keyamo’s comments come in the wake of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) suspension of Dana Airline’s Air Operator Certificate due to safety concerns.
Keyamo appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today to discuss the situation surrounding Dana Airline.
He emphasized that if the aircraft in Nigeria’s aviation sector are not properly checked, there will be what he described as “flying coffins” in the air.
The minister clarified that he did not write to the airline directly but instructed the NCAA to do so.
He further stressed the importance of ensuring the health of commercial aircraft and criticized the pervasive corruption within the aviation sector.
Keyamo also challenged aviation industry critics to a public debate, stating that he has yet to see any of them come forward with better ideas for managing the sector.
He maintained that since assuming office, his administration has set clear priority areas and is working to address the challenges facing the industry.
In response to the criticism he received after visiting the Airbus factory in France, Keyamo reiterated his commitment to facilitating seamless aircraft leasing for local operators.
He criticized the so-called aviation experts, claiming that they have not contributed anything to the industry’s development.
The minister acknowledged the deep-seated complicity within the system and vowed to continue the cleansing process until the issues are resolved.
He pointed out the corrupt practices of regulators who endanger the lives of Nigerians by cutting corners and falsifying reports, checks, and training.
As the Nigerian aviation sector faces scrutiny, Keyamo remains determined to address the corruption and safety issues that plague the industry.
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