Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that the pilot and crew of the private aircraft that landed on a road in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as investigations continue.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Keyamo described the incident as a serious security breach, adding that the outcome of the investigation would be presented to President Bola Tinubu.
He said the pilot and crew were still undergoing intensive interrogation by the DSS.
The minister also announced plans for the construction of a superhighway behind the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to connect the airport area with Mafoluku.
According to him, the project will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership involving the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government and is expected to open up the swampy area behind the airport for development.
On aviation safety, Keyamo maintained that Nigeria’s airspace remained one of the safest in Africa despite isolated incidents.
He noted that Nigeria recently recorded its highest-ever score of 91.4 per cent in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety and oversight audit, describing it as a significant achievement under the current administration.
The minister also disclosed that additional unviable airports would be concessioned to improve efficiency.
Speaking on the Federal Government’s debt relief measures for domestic airlines, Keyamo said operators had begun to benefit from the policy but warned that airlines must also meet their financial obligations.
He revealed that one airline alone owed the Federal Government about N14 billion.
According to him, government agencies require revenue to maintain airports, navigation services, power supply and other critical infrastructure.
He said he recently met with airline operators and appealed to them to adopt structured repayment plans, adding that many had already paid about 10 per cent of their outstanding debts within the last three weeks.
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