Aviation experts challenge Keyamo’s authority to suspend Dana Air

Aviation experts have raised concerns over the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo’s directive to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspend Dana Air. According to sources close to Dana Air, the airline has not yet received any official suspension notice from the NCAA.

Critics argue that Keyamo’s directive undermines the autonomy of the NCAA and sends a signal to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that Nigeria’s regulatory body lacks control. They suggest that Keyamo should have awaited the investigation and safety recommendations from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) before taking action.

Aviation analyst Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu questions the basis for Dana Air’s suspension, highlighting that the letter signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary, lacks clarity on the reasons for the airline’s suspension. Ojikutu contends that Keyamo, as the supervising minister, does not possess the authority to order the suspension of an airline. He warns that such actions could harm Nigeria’s image and international rating.

He said: “The suspension of Dana Air is on what basis? If he is calling for the suspension of Dana Air, the reasons for the suspension must be there, but in any case, the minister has no such power. He is exposing this coun­try to ICAO. This simply means that the NCAA is not in authority.

“He is gradually making himself the chief executive of the NCAA. He doesn’t have that power. We have already written to the ICAO and recommended the NCAA as the civil aviation authority and as the authority that is why when they come, they don’t go to the minister, they talk to the NCAA and go back.

“Keyamo has no such author­ity. He should have waited for the report of NCAA and NSIB to come out and its recommenda­tions because NSIB must make recommendations, depending on their findings. Why are you suspending the airline? What are you talking about the run­way? Somebody just said that the runway acquires water and that is the truth. The same thing with Port Harcourt airport. I am ashamed to see some of the things that were done and the whole thing is being messed up by this minister.”