The Federal Government has suspended the operations of a private jet charter and aircraft maintenance firm, Executive Jet Services.
Reason: The firm flouted COVID-19 regulations by flying Musician, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, to Abuja to attend a concert.
Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika said during Presidential Task Force briefing in Abuja on Monday that the airline was cleared to fly a senior judicial officer to Abuja for an important assignment and not any other person.
According to the Minister, the flight was meant to convey Justice Oludotun Adefope -Okojie to Abuja.
“We approved a flight , but certainly not for any musician . The flight, from the application , was to convey Justice Adefope- Okojie from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos for an official assignment .
“ And in this terrible time , in our wisdom , we considered the judiciary to be part of essential services to be delivered and to move the justice from Lagos to Abuja was in order .
“ The approval was given for June 14 , 2020 . However , we do give them a leeway of 24 hours . Sometimes due to operational reasons, they can either operate the flight slightly earlier or slightly forward within the 24 – hour window .
“ In this case , the operator chose to fly on June 13 around 6 pm . So , that in itself is not a violation , because we gave them the leeway . The operator is Executive Jet Services. ”
The minister said the approval was very clear , as he read part of the document from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the Chairman of Executive Jet Services.
He stated that the approval was signed by the Director of Air Management Services on behalf of the minister.
Sirika said the government would impose the maximum fine on the operator for violating the flight approval it received from the Federal Ministry of Aviation .
He said the pilot of the jet would also be sanctioned for giving wrong information to the control tower .
The Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Sani Aliyu , said the FCT authorities would take a decision on the matter .
He said , “With regards to the fate of Naira Marley , I believe that the FCT authorities have already taken action with regards to the key organisers of the show.
“ The decision in terms of whether or not he ( Naira Marley ) will face penalties is actually a decision for the FCT authorities . The PTF will certainly support any measures taken against people, who continue to violate the implementation of the guidelines that we have clearly enumerated , particularly if they continue to put public health at risk. ”
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika , said approval for the flight was for an essential service , as opposed to what it was eventually used for .
Sirika stated, “ So , Executive Jet Services ’ operations are hereby suspended indefinitely and we will also fine the firm maximally according to the law .
“ The captain of the flight will also be sanctioned for giving wrong information to the control tower in accordance with the law . ”
