Aviation Ministerial Task Force Releases Initial Findings On PNCF

The Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters inaugurated on June 27, 2024 has released its initial findings, establishing the fact that indeed, some high networt individuals in Nigeria use private jets for commercial services, an illegal conduct that has persisted for about 20 years.

Speaking in a chat with aviation journalists last Friday, Chairman of the Task Force, Capt. Ado Sanusi said there are indications that there are Flight Plans that are filed without getting to their destinations and that there are Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders who collaborate with illegal PHCF operators to perpetuate the act.

Spokesman and Vice Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Roland lyayi said the Task Force spent the first two weeks gathering data and that the coming weeks would feature a review and analysis of the data gathered.

“In 2005, there were 44 private business jets in Nigeria. In 2024, it has increased to 157,” he said, adding that there are 62 PNCF operators in the registry of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). He said the Task Force had uncovered the prevalence of illegal charter operations and established that there are elements of conflict in the regulatory regime for PNCF operators as there are foreign registered aircraft that do not come under the purview of NCAA registration. He said that from the data gathered on operations in two years, aircraft used for PNCF are recording 46 flight hours in one month.

“We want to establish what are the issues, why the issues persist and to come up with recommendations on how to tackle the issues,” he said.

Iyayi further said the federal government had incurred huge loss of revenue over the last two decades and that the Task Force intended to engage the public in its information gathering process to extract information. He said they expect voluntary input from the personnel used for such illegal activities and would not make any conclusion until they have heard from both the industry regulator and operators.

The Task Force is calling on those with vital information that would help the investigation to forward their information to [email protected] or call 09082222259.

Iyayi said: “We will conduct whistle blowers’ interviews structured in such a way that identities of those providing information are protected.”

The Task Force noted that though the case of illegal PNCF operations is not restricted to Nigeria, the intention is to bring it down to the lowest level. “I don’t think any country can completely tackle illegal charters but we need to bring it to as low as we can,” said Sanusi.

Other members of the Task Force are Director of Air Transport, FMA&AD – Secretary, Theresa A. Babaoye (DATR-NCAA), One Nominee from the National Security Adviser, Capt. Daniel, Capt. Patrick Ogunlowo and Obafemi Bajomo (SA-HMA).

The Task Force’s terms of reference, are “to take inventory of all PNCF holders and AOC holders, to determine why the practice of illegal charters by PNCF holders persists in the country despite regulatory controls, to call in all professional licenses of pilots and crew in the country and determine their authenticity and validity, to recommend to the Minister any additional measures to be taken by regulatory agencies to stem this ugly tide, to recommend appropriate sanctions to be imposed by the regulatory agencies on defaulters, to recommend additional measures to further monitor the operations and activities of private aircraft in Nigeria” and “Any other terms of reference that may be determined by the Minister as the Task Force continues its work.”