Citing security reasons, the House of Representatives has moved to stop the issuance of airport licenses to private individuals and organizations in the country.
The House also called for the withdrawal of approvals already granted to private individuals and organizations with a view to safeguarding national security, reports Persecondnews.
The lawmakers called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to immediately halt the approval.
The call is a sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Sulaiman Gumi (APC-Zamfara) at the plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gumi moved the motion earlier, stating that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, had confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, located at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun.
On October 6, the founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo, broke the news to his congregation of the approval of the airstrip by the federal government.
Gumi recalled that a private jet allegedly carried $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms in September 2014.
According to reports, the South African authorities seized a private jet carrying two Nigerians and an Israeli.
He said: “The country is currently experiencing security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition and importation of illicit/hard drugs.
“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.
“We are worried that granting airstrips to private individuals and organisations could further aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country.
“This can further heighten insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.”
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Author
Leave a comment