FG’s Ban Stalls Requests For Private Jets By Oyedepo, Dazair

Bishop David Oyedepo

The planned ban on the acquisition of private jets by the federal government has put on hold a long list of requests from wealthy Nigerians for private jets, LEADERSHIP gathered.
Among those seeking approval from the Aviation Ministry are Skypower Express Airways, whose request for a Hawker 900 has been pending since June 2012. Another company, Dazair, sought approval for a Challenger 604 since June 2012, while the presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, wants a Hawker 900.
The ban, according to the aviation ministry, is to enable it to come up with a new policy on the acquisition of private airplanes, helicopters and other lighter aircraft, which is being worked on.
However, the suspension has sparked outrage in the aviation sector, as industry stakeholders say the ban will derail the gains so far recorded in the industry since the appointment of the current minister, Stella Oduah.
Some operators say the federal government will be infringing on the constitutional rights of Nigerians to own property if it went through with the proposed ban on the importation of private jets.
Captain Dele Ore, Aviation Lawyer and President of the Aviation Roundtable, said he was not aware government had taken such a step to ban the importation of private jets, but cautioned that such a move would only harm the industry and stunt its growth.
He said, “The federal government is the alpha and omega; it can do anything. It is just that the government has the penchant for doing the right things the wrong way. Taking such an action would boomerang on the government because there is no reason for such an action; it is simply being petty.
“The constitution allows people to spend their money the way they want. The right to own property is embedded in our constitution. Placing a ban on the importation of private jets will send a wrong signal to the world, especially on the way we change our policies.
“It is very sad. Policies should not be changed overnight. Policies should be changed in consultation with industry stakeholders.  Some investors are looking at starting Maintenance Repair Organisations (MROs) in Nigeria. They are putting money here and will expect return on investment. The government must allow them to invest and should allow the industry to grow. If you place a ban on importation of private jets, how do you expect them to reap on their investments, because the private jets would have to be maintained also.
NaijaCenter