The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to withdraw airstrip licenses previously issued to private individuals and organizations, emphasizing concerns over national security.
The resolution also includes an immediate halt to the issuance of new licenses for the operation of airstrips to private entities.
These resolutions were adopted following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mr. Abubakar Gumi, the representative for Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State.
Gumi, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, highlighted the growing security risks associated with private airstrips during a plenary session on Wednesday.
In his justification, Gumi referred to a recent approval granted by the Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for an airstrip associated with the Living Faith Church, located in Ota, Ogun State.
He noted that Bishop David Oyedepo, the church’s founder, announced this approval to his congregation during a special service on October 6, 2024.
He noted that “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.”
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Further elaborating, Gumi said, “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 recalled a troubling incident from September 2014, stating, “A prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3 million 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.”
Gumi expressed the House’s concerns regarding the current security challenges in the country, mentioning, “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 argued 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 put to a voice vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the responses from lawmakers opposing the prayer were nearly equal to those supporting it.
However, the Speaker ultimately ruled in favor of the “Ayes,” leading to the resolution that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development must cease the issuance of airstrip licenses to private entities.
In conclusion, the House has urged the government to withdraw existing approvals granted to private individuals and organizations to safeguard national security.
