By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives yesterday called on the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo to stop issuance of airstrip license to private individuals and organizations.
It also asked the Minister to withdraw approvals already granted to private individuals and organizations, with a view to safeguarding national security.
Adopting a motion of urgent national importance on the matter moved by Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, the House urged its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Leading debate on the general principles of the motion, its sponsor, Hon. Gumi recalled that the federal government through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
He said the House was also aware that on Sunday, October 6 2024, the Founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State informed his congregation of the approval of an airstrip granted by the Federal Government to his Church.
The lawmaker further recalled that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms explaining that the private jet which was seized by the South African authorities has two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
He expressed concern that the country currently experience security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of the security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the Country.
Speaking further, he said the House is worried that granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.
At the end of a robust debate on the general principles of the motion, majority of members at plenary unanimously adopted its prayers via voice vote.