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Tag: Keyamo

  • Group commends Keyamo over relocation of FAAN HQ to Lagos

    Group commends Keyamo over relocation of FAAN HQ to Lagos

    The Good Governance Watch Initiative (GGWI) has welcomed the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos.

    Commending the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the group said the move is apt and in the best interest of the country. 

    Speaking at a briefing on Friday in Abuja, Dr. Ikechukwu Cecilia, the group’s convener added that Keyamo has sustained his remarkable turnaround of the aviation sector with brilliant reforms and policies. 

    While calling on Nigerians to continue to support the minister, she said that the Federal Government has shown a genuine desire to address the myriad of economic challenges in the country.  

    “The case of FAAN brings to the fore years of irrational decisions by the former administration without considering the economic implications of their actions. Relocating FAAN from Lagos, Nigeria’s operational hub of air traffic at the time, was ill-conceived,” Cecilia said. 

    Read Also: JUST IN: FG moves FAAN headquarters to Lagos

    “It didn’t make sense for the operational headquarters to be outside, where most of its activities are domiciled. We know that Lagos is the hub of aviation activities in the country. FAAN is a service organisation statutorily charged with managing all Commercial Airports in Nigeria and providing service to passenger and cargo airlines.

    “This is also on the heels of the fact that Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport remained the busiest airport in Nigeria for international and domestic travellers, which has been the hub of commercial activities in the country. It, therefore, does not make sense that the agency responsible for managing our airports operates outside Lagos for any reason. 

    “The decision to relocate FAAN from Lagos was a misnomer that encouraged waste of the country’s scarce resources, as relocating to Abuja affected the agency’s operational efficiency. 

    “It is also on record that FAAN operates from makeshift office spaces in Abuja. At the same time, its former headquarters in Lagos is left to rot due to non-usage. This does not make economic sense. It was indeed for political reasons and not economic reasons. 

    “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has taken a bold step in reforming the aviation sector in Nigeria through this decision. The minister displayed leadership foresight. 

    “He should be commended for this initiative, and other ministers should take a cue from him in thinking critically on how to re-position their ministries through policies that would reduce waste and entrench a regime of transparency and accountability.”

  • MRO facility to boost conservation of foreign exchange, says Keyamo

    MRO facility to boost conservation of foreign exchange, says Keyamo

    Minster of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN has said the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul, MRO, facility at the Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State would help to conserve foreign exchange to be able to meet international obligations.

    He stated this during an inspection of facilities at the airport. They included, the new International Terminal Building constructed by VKS Engineering Nigeria Limited and  MRO facility.

    He said: “One of the problems hampering the operation of the aviation sector in Nigeria has always been the lack of facilities such as this[MRO]. Our aircraft will go out of the country for maintenance and may be there for months. But with this facility, we can conserve foreign exchange so they may meet their international obligations.”

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, accompanied by members of the State Executive Council, the Managing Director of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, the Chief Operating Officer of the airline, George Uriesi, the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation,Assam Assam, SAN and other stakeholders,  thanked Keyamo  for paying a working visit to the state.

    The governor said the state has an aviation ecosystem  that Nigeria can work with and compete with the rest of Africa  and  the world.

    He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being a great father of the nation, adding that the state remains  dedicated to supporting  and showing loyalty  to his government.

    Read Also: FEC expresses concerns over rising cost of goods, services

    After a  presentation on the growth of Ibom Air, by the Chief Operating Officer of the Airline, George Uriesi, the governor led the Minister, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, and other top government officials on inspection tour of the MRO facility,  the first of the 10 Airbus A22-300 Series that was recently delivered by Airbus and the Smart International Airport Terminal.

    Keyamo praised the state for the facilities,adding that “the potentials of this place are huge. It’s about 90-95 percent complete and by the time it becomes fully operational, I am very certain it will capture the whole of the markets in West and Central Africa and even up to North Africa and that’s what we have been looking for.”

    The Minister said the International Terminal has met all the standards to be certified an international airport. He promised to mobilise all  agencies and regulatory bodies  in the Ministry,  to support the state.

    He expressed confidence that the state would keep to international standards, while thanking Eno for the passion he has shown towards the project since he assumed office.

    “There are two projects currently ongoing here:  The new International Terminal Building and of course the MRO. It’s not just a terminal building, what I am seeing here is a hub. It’s a proper hub where we can process international passengers and transfer them from one section to the ether for them to catch their international flights. What we have here is a hidden jewel, but it’s all for the good of our dear nation,” Keyamo said.

  • No room for compromise, Keyamo tells aviation agencies’ heads

    No room for compromise, Keyamo tells aviation agencies’ heads

    Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government at ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and reliability for air travelers, airlines, and other stakeholders.

    In a message to heads of the sector, the minister promised to reinforce the industry’s global standing, reassuring all parties of his unwavering dedication to strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) minimal standards.

    According to him, one of the cornerstones of this commitment is the protection of operators within the industry.

    Keyamo said as a facilitator working collaboratively with airlines, service providers, and other stakeholders, there is the need for the ministry to create an environment conducive for growth and sustainability for all players.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Aregbesola, says ex-gov dishonoured agreement by Tinubu, Akande

    The minister affirmed his stance on non-interference in safety standards.

    He said his ministry recognised the importance of maintaining and elevating safety protocols.

    Keyamo pledged to uphold and support the decisions of aviation regulatory bodies by prioritising safety at all times.

    “As we embark on a new year, the Nigerian aviation industry welcomes all air travelers, airlines, and organisations with open arms. Together, we look forward to a future where safety, innovation, and collaboration define our shared journey,” he said.

  • Renewed Hope: CSOs, FBOs laud Keyamo for reforming aviation sector

    Renewed Hope: CSOs, FBOs laud Keyamo for reforming aviation sector

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been applauded for his laudable reforms in the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Renewed Hope Agenda gave the commendation in collaboration with the Coalition of Middle Belt Groups and Faith-Based Organizations. 

    The groups said significant progress has been made in infrastructure development, safety and security, reforms, policy formulation as well as institutional Strengthening.

    In a detailed report by the convener, Tobias Ogbe, the group noted that the industry under Keyamo is experiencing an evolution thanks to President Tinubu’s resolve to prioritise the development and modernisation of the aviation sector.

    “One of the key areas of focus has been the upgrade and expansion of airport infrastructure across the country. Several airports have undergone extensive renovations, leading to improved facilities, enhanced capacity, and increased operational efficiency. These infrastructure developments have not only boosted economic activities but have also positioned Nigeria as a regional aviation hub, attracting more airlines and promoting tourism,” Ogbe said. 

    “We are happy with the way President Tinubu’s administration has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing safety and security measures in the aviation sector, and the Minister made sure to speak this development into reality through his actions. Stringent regulations, improved training programs, and the implementation of advanced technology have so far contributed to a significant reduction in accidents and incidents. It is also worthy of note to state that the establishment of effective security protocols has also played a crucial role in safeguarding passengers, crew, and airport facilities.

    “The aviation sector reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda have been instrumental in reshaping the industry and promoting sustainable growth. Key reforms have been implemented in various areas, including regulatory frameworks, policy formulation, and institutional strengthening. Several reformations have implemented to further solidify this agenda. 

    “President Tinubu’s administration has prioritized the review and update of existing aviation regulations to align with international standards and best practices. This has created a more conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investors, fostering healthy competition and encouraging innovation in the sector.

    “The Renewed Hope Agenda has also focused on formulating policies that promote the growth and development of the aviation industry. Streamlined processes, simplified procedures, and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles have made it easier for stakeholders to operate efficiently. These policies have also encouraged the emergence of new airlines, improved connectivity, and increased accessibility for remote areas.

    Read Also: Keyamo to sacked aviation agencies’ heads: hand over to most senior officers

    “Owing to the need to ensure effective implementation of reforms, the Tinubu administration has worked towards strengthening the institutions responsible for overseeing the aviation sector. Training and capacity-building programs have been introduced to enhance the skills and knowledge of industry professionals. Collaboration with international aviation bodies has further facilitated knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices,” he added. 

    The group admitted there is still a lot of work to be done. Ogbe harped on: “Continued investment in airport infrastructure to support the growing demand for air travel and ensure passenger comfort.

    “Strengthening of safety and security measures through regular audits, training, and adoption of advanced technologies. Enhancement of regulatory frameworks to promote healthy competition, protect consumer rights, and attract more foreign investment.”

  • Keyamo to sacked aviation agencies’ heads: hand over to most senior officers

    Keyamo to sacked aviation agencies’ heads: hand over to most senior officers

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has directed the directors of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), to hand over to the most senior officers in the agencies.

    This followed the sack of the heads of the government agencies.

    A statement by the Head of Press and Public Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, yesterday in Abuja, said all the agencies’ board secretaries and legal advisers were not affected by the directive.

    Read Also; Our transformation efforts on economy succeeding with NASS cooperation – Tinubu

    “Following the change in leadership of the Aviation and Aerospace Development Agencies’ CEOs and MDs aimed to reposition the aviation industry and ensure safety and efficient air travel experience by Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, I am directed to inform all directors of the following agencies that they have been relieved of their appointments forthwith and should hand over to the most senior officer in their various directorates with immediate effect.

    “The directors of the affected agencies are as follows: FAAN, NiMet, NAMA, NCAA, NSIB.

    “I am also to inform all the agencies’ Board Secretaries and Legal Advisers that they are not affected by this directive,” the statement said.

  • Airplanes to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights, says Keyamo

    Airplanes to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights, says Keyamo

    The Ministry of Aviation, says it is working on plans to ensure that commercial airlines operating in Nigeria pay compensate to passengers for delayed or canceled flights as from January.

    The Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, said this when he appeared before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Aviation for 2024 budget defense.

    He said that the ministry also plans to publish the list of airlines that delayed or canceled flights in the media on a weekly basis as part of the efforts.

    “I have called the customers’ satisfactory commission regarding the treatment of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Keyamo kicks against Nigeria Air, Ethiopian airline deal

    “And I have said at the last address that I gave during our stakeholders meeting in Lagos and our retreat in Warri.

    “I said on a weekly basis, please publish the list of airlines that dont fly as at when due, canceled flights, delayed flights, how many hours it was delayed,” he said.

    Keyamo added:“For every delay, there is a report, an actual report by the regulator, what did they do? did they pay compensation?

    (NAN)

  • Keyamo kicks against Nigeria Air, Ethiopian airline deal

    Keyamo kicks against Nigeria Air, Ethiopian airline deal

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised Ethiopian Airlines’ deal with the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on the proposed national airline, Nigeria Air.

    Keyamo, who addressed State House correspondents after the Executive Council meeting on Monday, claimed that the agreements of the deal were unfair to the Nigerian airlines as it would create a monopoly for Ethiopian Airlines.

    Keyamo stated that President Bola Tinubu has received reports on the matter and will decide whether or not to approve the agreement.

    The Minister said he “cannot preempt my President”, adding that “All the reports, everything, we have forwarded to Mr President, the issues we met on the ground.”

    “But just to say that it would have been irresponsible of me as minister to take over office and close my eyes totally to those concerns.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Keyamo summons aviation agencies over safety concerns

    “So because of that, we suspended it to say, let’s just look at all the issues and recommend. Now we have looked at all the issues and it’s before Mr President. But let me just give you one or two snippets because Nigerians who are quick to judge.

    “In the agreement, you are giving tax waivers to Ethiopian Airlines coming into Nigeria, they ask for tax waivers for five years and you granted them to come and compete with your local airlines who are paying those heavy taxes, how? You want to create a monopoly?”

    “In the agreement, they also made a proposal that they would appoint everybody, top management, everybody, Ethiopia, in Nigeria and we agreed?” he asked.

  • Safety concerns: Keyamo summons agencies’ heads

    Safety concerns: Keyamo summons agencies’ heads

    • NCAA begins probe on United Nigeria Airlines over flight diversion

    The Federal Government has begun investigation into a United Nigeria Airlines flight which landed in Asaba, the Delta State capital, instead of Abuja, on Sunday. 

    Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo announced the need to probe the incident yesterday in Abuja.

    The minister said the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was investigating the incident and other aviation-related issues.

    He directed the bureau to submit its report in 10 days.

    The Nation reports that on Sunday, United Nigeria Airlines said its Lagos-Abuja flight was diverted to Asaba, the Delta State capital, due to poor weather.

    The flight, NUA 0504, took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Terminal 2 in Ikeja and headed to Abuja but was diverted midair to Asaba for safety reasons.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, Keyamo said from the flight’s transcript, the pilot was directed from Lagos to land in Asaba. 

    He said: “We have listened to the transcript from the plane. It was clear that the pilot was directed to Asaba from Lagos. 

    “It is a question of a wet lease where the plane pilot and crew are foreigners because they came with the plane. The pilot didn’t know the route.

    “Henceforth, all wet leases coming into Nigeria must have a Nigerian pilot sitting at the cockpit. We have also decided that a wet lease must have Nigerians as cabin crew.”

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    Also, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hjas said it had begun a probe into the circumstances leading to the diversion of the United Nigeria Flight NUA 0506 Lagos/Abuja-bound flight to Asaba.

    Its Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, who announced this yesterday, said the regulator was not pleased with the confusion passengers faced when the cabin crew mistakenly announced landing in Abuja while the aircraft was at the Asaba airport.

    Nuhu said the NCAA began preliminary steps in the investigation with the suspension of all wet lease aircraft in United Nigeria Airline’s fleet.

    The agency boss said it observed conflicting reports in the account given by United Nigeria Airlines, suggesting bad weather for the flight diversion, whereas information from Abuja Air Traffic Control indicated favourable weather conditions.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the NCAA, after a post-incident meeting, deemed the airline’s explanation untenable, prompting the suspension pending further investigation.

  • JUST IN: Keyamo summons aviation agencies over safety concerns

    JUST IN: Keyamo summons aviation agencies over safety concerns

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has summoned heads of aviation regulatory agencies over safety concerns in the sector.

    The Minister, in a tweet on Monday, said a thorough review of recent incidents will be carried out in the meeting with the heads of regulatory agencies.

    Read Also: Keyamo seeks master plan for airports

    “Due to safety concerns in the aviation sector expressed by members of the public, I have summoned the heads of the regulatory agencies to my office later today to review the incidents that are the causes of these concerns and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to forestall future occurrence and to apply sanctions, where necessary, regarding the past incidents,” he tweeted.

  • Uvwie agog as Keyamo gets grand welcome

    Uvwie agog as Keyamo gets grand welcome

    Uvwie Kingdom was a beehive of activities at the weekend, as it played host to one of its prominent sons and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Egwarewan Keyamo (SAN).

    The ceremony, held at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, was attended by political bigwigs across party lines including Federal and State Government functionaries, and captains of industries to mention just a few.

    Delta state governor Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Areas, Charles Aniagwu.

    Among the A-list guests also include ex-governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, All Progressives Party (APC) chieftains including Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; Chairman Delta APC, Omeni Sobotie; House of Representatives member, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; Delta Commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt Hon. Monday Igbuya; Senator Peter Nwaboshi; Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, Sir Richard Odibo, Dr. Alex Ideh, and former Deputy Senate President Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Read Also: Uzodimma, Keyamo, CSOs: Labour protests partisan

    Also erstwhile president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick; Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema; Rivers Ijaw leader, Chief Sarah Igbe; Prince of Kalabari Kingdom, Tonye Princewill are also present.

    Traditional rulers also at the occasion include the Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue I; Pere of Akugbene Mein, Kalamana VIII; Ovie Of Ozoro, HRM Ibuka I; the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo; Ovie of Oghara; Representatives of the Olu of Warri, HM Atuwatse III; Ovie of Idjerhe, Ovie of Mososgar, Ovie of Agbarha-Otor among others.