In a decisive move, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to revoke existing airstrip licenses issued to private individuals and organizations, citing national security concerns.
Additionally, the House has called for an immediate halt to the issuance of new licenses for airstrip operations.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance brought forth by Mr. Abubakar Gumi, the representative for Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State. Gumi, who recently switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, emphasized the urgency of the situation during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Highlighting recent developments, Gumi referenced the Federal Government’s approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church located in Ota, Ogun State, which was confirmed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. He pointed out that Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the church, publicly announced this approval during a special church event on October 6, 2024.
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Citing past incidents, Gumi reminded his colleagues of a 2014 case involving a prominent religious figure linked to a private jet carrying $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for arms purchases, which was subsequently seized by South African authorities. He raised concerns over the current security climate, marked by the illegal importation of firearms, hard drugs, and the challenges faced by security agencies in tracing these supplies to insurgents and criminals responsible for widespread violence in Nigeria.
Gumi argued that granting airstrip licenses to private entities could exacerbate illegal arms and drug trafficking, thereby intensifying issues like insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry that undermine the country’s socio-economic development.
During the vote led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, there was a significant show of support for the motion despite opposition voices. Ultimately, the Speaker ruled in favor of the motion, directing the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to halt the issuance of new airstrip licenses and to revoke any existing approvals granted to private individuals and organizations to enhance national security.
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