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• As experts caution aviation minister against regulatory interference
By Chinelo Obogo
Following the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, asking that Dana Air be suspended over the runway excursion it suffered on Tuesday, April 23, the regulatory body has now grounded the airline.
In a letter written to the NCAA DG and signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Emmanuel Meribole, the minister directed that Dana Air’s operations be suspended due to safety concerns until a comprehensive audit is conducted to ensure the airline’s compliance with aviation regulations which includes safety protocols, maintenance procedures and financial health.
The letter read: “As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the minister’s attention that recent incidents involving Dana Air have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.
“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travelers, the minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted.”
Responding to the minister’s directive, Capt. Najomo wrote to the accountable manager of Dana Air, notifying him of the agency’s decision to suspend its Air Operator Certificate with effect from Wednesday, April 24, at 23:59, to ‘allow for a thorough safety and economic audit’.
The letter to Dana read: “Subsequent to the runway excursion involving your MD-82 aircraft with registration marks 5N-BKI at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on April 23, 2024, the Authority is awaiting the preliminary report of the investigation launched by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
“As a precautionary step and in accordance with section 31(7) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the Authority has imposed a suspension on your AOC with effect from April 24, 2024 at 23:59 to allow for a thorough safety and economic audit.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) revealed that the runway excursion occurred at 9.20am local time and preliminary fact-finding revealed that the airlines’ flight 9J0352 with registration number, 5N-BKI, carrying 83 passengers and six crew members, departed Abuja at 8:20am local time and arrived in Lagos around 9:20am.
The runway 18L surface was wet due to the rain and the aircraft had a technical problem with its landing gear and experienced directional control problems after landing, which made it veer off the runway to the left and travel onto the grassy area near the runway 18L link 6 turn-off point. There were no reported fatalities or injuries.
Aviation experts have however cautioned the minister against interfering in the activities of the regulatory body. An aviation security expert, John Ojikutu, told Daily Sun that the minister has no powers to direct that any airline be suspended as such powers rest solely with the regulator.
He said: “This minister is climbing the aviation tree beyond its top leaves. Let those who are close to him tell him that he has no such powers and the international aviation community particularly ICAO is watching us.”
and in particular the NCAA. I said it earlier that he has taken over not only as the minister but more as the chief executive officer of all the agencies. The reports of the responsible agencies are yet to be out and he has already found the airline negligent, how? He has made both the NCAA and NISB irrelevant.”
Also, an aviation analyst, Anthony Kila said: “The right intervention should be investigation and vigilance. What we need now is more business and movement not less. Also, interventions should be coming from related agencies, not the ministry.”
