To recover the over N47 billion owed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by airlines, the acting Director General of the agency, Captain Chris Najomo, has declared ‘no pay, no service’ on all debtors.
Najomo, who stated that strict sanctions would be issued to defaulting operators, disclosed plans to set up a debt recovery joint task force to implement the cost recovery drive.
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He said, “Hence, all debtors to the NCAA shall seize to receive services from the authority. It is operation; no pay, no service. We are instituting strict sanctions for defaulting operators.”
Najomo, while speaking at a press briefing to roll out his plans, also mentioned that the agency is not oblivious to the illicit activities of private jet operators operating commercial flights, saying any private jet operators who want to operate as commercial or charter operators must apply for a commercial licence.
Recall that a preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau revealed Flint Aero aircraft, which crashed at Ibadan Airport in November 2023, while flying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, showed that it was operating illegally.
Highlighting the regulatory framework, Najomo said that only holders of Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Airline Operating Permit (AOP) with a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) are authorised to conduct charter operations.
Najomo maintained that the NCAA would implement a robust risk-based surveillance system to close any potential gap opened by increasing the validity period of Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) for unscheduled and scheduled operators.
He said the surveillance encompassing safety, security, and economic monitoring will be extended to all service providers.
The acting DG further stated that the authority would intensify efforts to enforce the airline’s compliance with Nig Cars 2023 Part 19 of the Consumer Protection Regulations.
He said that in line with the assurance by the Minister of Aviation that air passengers must get value for their money, the NCAA would ensure that airlines provide timely care to passengers for service disruptions, adding that they would also ensure consumers receive quality services in the Nigeria Aviation industry and that their rights are always protected.
He reiterated the commitment of the authority to simplify the certification and licensing systems to streamline the approval process. This, according to him, will be extended to other authorizations, approvals, and permits.
He said, “This is a derivative of the ease-of-doing business philosophy towards encouraging growth in the aviation industry.”