The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to revoke airstrip licenses already approved for private individuals and organisations, in the interest of national security.
The House also wants the government not to consider the issuance of new licenses for the operation of airstrips to individuals and organisations in the future.
The resolutions according to PUNCH were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Mr Abubakar Gumi.
Gumi, while defending the motion, said, “The Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.”
Speaking further, he stressed 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.”
He mentioned a case in September 2014, where “a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms.
“The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
“The House is concerned that the country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the country.”
He pinpointed that, “Granting airstrip to private individuals and organisations 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.”
When the motion was subjected to a voice vote by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers who opposed the prayer were as loud as those who supported it, prompting the Speaker to rule in favour of the “Ayes” as the House urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to stop the issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and organisations.
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