Lawmakers Call For Revocation Of Airstrip Licenses For Canaanland And Other Entities

Lawmakers Call For Revocation Of Airstrip Licenses For Canaanland And Other EntitiesThe House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to revoke airstrip licenses issued to private individuals and organizations, citing national security concerns. Additionally, the House has demanded an immediate halt to the issuance of new licenses for airstrip operations.

This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance presented by Mr. Abubakar Gumi, the representative for Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State. During the plenary session, Gumi, who recently switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, highlighted the recent approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, as confirmed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Gumi recalled that on October 6, 2024, Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church, announced the airstrip approval during a church event. He also referenced a past incident from September 2014, where a prominent religious leader was linked to a private jet involved in a large cash transfer for arms purchase in South Africa.

The House expressed concern over the current security issues in the country, including the illegal importation of firearms and drugs, which have fueled insurgency and banditry. Gumi argued that granting airstrips to private entities could facilitate these illegal activities and exacerbate the nation’s security challenges.

When the motion was put to a vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the responses were evenly split. However, the Speaker ultimately ruled in favor of the motion, urging the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to cease issuing airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations and to withdraw any existing approvals to protect national security.

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