By Peter Adelowo
The federal government have threatened to shut down the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following reports that the VIP section of the airport is used for money laundering and drug and human trafficking, among other criminal activities in the country.
The GAT is the wing dedicated to private jet owners and other aircraft charter services at the airport.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, while receiving the report of the seven-member ministerial task force on illegal private charter operations and related matters, said the issue of illegal charter operations by private jets and aircraft owners who obtain licenses under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) but then use the aircraft for illegal transactions has become endemic in the aviation sector.
Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Charter Flight Operations, chaired by Ado Sanusi, managing director of Aero Contractors, also identified critical lapses that have resulted in a staggering NGN120 billion revenue loss to the federal government over the past decade.
Presenting the Task Force’s findings in Abuja, Sanusi emphasized challenges that include regulatory weaknesses, loopholes in the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) system, inadequate oversight, and security vulnerabilities.
The Task Force recommended the reorganisation of the GAT, aligning with findings from an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security audit.
Sanusi stressed that implementing these measures would curb illegal activities, enhance security, and create a more structured and revenue-efficient aviation sector.
Furthermore, it may lead to ending the GAT as epicenter for 90% illegal charters
Keyamo condemned the lack of proper regulation, which he said enabled illegal operations and seriously threatened national security.
He assured stakeholders that the findings would not be “swept under the rug,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving aviation safety and strengthening regulatory oversight.
Keyamo, a former prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), vowed to tackle the issue head-on, stating,
“When I resumed office, some advised me to let it go, arguing that regulating PNCF holders is difficult because they are often considered ‘untouchables.’
“But my background, both in civil society and as an EFCC prosecutor, has trained me to touch the untouchable. That is my duty.” he added.
