Keyamo Slams Oronsanye’s Report, Claims NCAA-NAMA Merger Is A Plot To Destroy The Agency

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has clarified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to abandon the proposed merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), which was recommended in the Steve Oronsaye Report.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Oronsaye Report, a widely discussed document, suggested consolidating the NCAA and NAMA. However, Keyamo expressed concerns that such a move could undermine the NCAA.

He noted that the report had been forwarded from the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari to the current government. After reviewing the proposal, President Tinubu decided against proceeding with the merger of the two agencies.

Keyamo also addressed the exemption of the aviation sector from the foreign travel ban imposed by the Federal Government on its officials last year, which took effect in April. He explained that the exemption was granted because President Tinubu aims to bring about significant transformation and development in the aviation industry.

The foreign travel ban was introduced to curb rising travel expenses for officials across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). A memorandum from the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, outlined the directive: “Given the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr. President’s directive to place a temporary ban on all public-funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from April 1, 2024. All government officials intending to travel abroad on public funds must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before their trip, and the trip must be deemed absolutely necessary.”

At the 25th-anniversary celebration of the NCAA, Keyamo highlighted the significant progress made in the aviation sector, noting: “From modest beginnings, we have seen remarkable transformations, including enhanced oversight, improved policies, safety and security measures, the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, the expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and the growth of indigenous airlines.”