Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has indicated that the Nigeria Air deal under the Buhari administration is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Keyamo also affirmed that the relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters from Abuja to Lagos will proceed as planned.
Following his appointment as minister, Keyamo criticized the Nigeria Air deal orchestrated by Sirika and halted the entire process. This decision was made shortly before the conclusion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to allow for a thorough audit of contracts.
The establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, sparked controversy and led to the resignation of veteran aviator Girma Wake as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines.
Capt Dapo Olumide, then Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, clarified that the aircraft used for the unveiling of the national carrier was legitimately chartered from Ethiopian Airlines. He added that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the final day of the Buhari administration in May.
Keyamo on the live programme said, “the EFCC is investigating that deal, there is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report”.
He also said no local airline would be designated as national airline, adding that “we will established a proper national carrier”.
Additionally, the Minister emphasized that relocating the headquarters of the airport authority is essential to align with current economic and operational circumstances.
He highlighted that this relocation would result in an annual saving of half a billion naira for the government and the Nigerian populace. This significant sum is currently spent on air tickets for FAAN officials who regularly travel between Lagos and Abuja.
“We are going ahead. The directive has been given,” the minister said on Wednesday.
The Minister, clarifying that he approved the relocation and not the President, explained that top officials of FAAN and aviation unions approached him, advocating for the transfer of the authority’s head office to Lagos for improved operational efficiency.
Keyamo pointed out that when his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, relocated the headquarters of all aviation agencies from Lagos to Abuja in 2020, insufficient arrangements were made for principal officers such as directors and their respective departments.
He further clarified that out of the 132 workers at the head office, over 100 are based in Lagos, leaving only the directors in Abuja without their support staff.
Keyamo highlighted that the situation was exacerbated by FAAN’s lack of digitalization, resulting in an annual expenditure of half a billion naira solely on flight tickets between Lagos and Abuja.
“You see them flying every day to-and-fro Abuja to get one file signed. They fly everyday back and forth. In one year, they spent close to half a billion naira on flight tickets. N450m on flight tickets alone,” he said.
