BY Olapeju Olubi
Aviation safety promoters on the platform of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) have come down hard on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for unilaterally suspending the operations of Dana Air that overshot the Lagos Airport runway while landing two days ago.
According to the Group formerly known as Aviation Round Table (ART), Keyamo’s action was harsh and illegal as it completely sidestepped and disregarded the regulatory powers of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the agency empowered to take such actions.
ART, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, expressed shock that contrary to the robust promises made by Keyamo to promote sanctity of the law and rules of engagement, his actions speak to the contrary as he has snatched the autonomous powers of the NCAA.
The statement said: “The suspension of the entire operations of DANA Airlines as directed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development runs against these principles and indicates a return to the ugly past that destroys confidence in the industry and by the global community on the principles of an autonomous industry regulator, representing a threat to safety, security in the sector generally.
“ART condemns the external interference demonstrated by the Minister’s directive which serves to erode institutional autonomy and jeopardizes safety in the aviation sector.
ART hereby reiterates its commitment to the non-negotiable autonomy of the NCAA as stated in Section 4 (3) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act.
“The conduct of financial audits of airlines lies exclusively with the NCAA. The decisions on what are appropriate sanctions for violations also lie with the NCAA exclusively.
“The ART hereby advises an immediate lifting of the suspension of the entire operation of Dana Airlines and demands an apology to the entire Aviation community for the actions from the HMA&A and the Ministry while the NCAA / NSIB investigation continues on the affected MD 82 aircraft or fleet and the company Dana, for which the NCAA is expected to carry on its role and met the appropriate actions”, it explained.
The body also advised Keyamo to concentrate his efforts on policy issues that positively impact the airline industry, just as it demanded that other agencies be allowed to carry out their statutory obligations without interference, including the observed interferences at FAAN. “ART also requests that the HMA&A move promptly to appoint the required Boards to enable the smooth and properly guided operations of Agencies.
“The ART commends the NCAA for the recent suspension of three non-schedule operators for operational infractions and urges the NCAA to make public the list of the airlines concerned in the reported infractions for transparency as well as to highlight actions others must avoid to prevent the same outcomes”, the statement added.
