This declaration was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, during a briefing with State House Correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Tuesday.

The FEC meeting, initially set for Monday, May 13, 2024, was postponed to Tuesday due to the extensive agenda, as stated by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.

Keyamo emphasized that there will be no exemptions from the new policy, including for foreign guests and individuals previously considered Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

He noted that a significant number of E-tags, approximately 82%, have not been paid for, resulting in substantial revenue losses for the aviation sector.

“Council has approved that henceforth nobody will be exempted from paying for access into our airports. The President and the Vice President have also said they should not be excluded from this new policy,” Keyamo affirmed.

Addressing recent incidents of aircraft skidding off runways, including those involving Dana Air, Keyamo criticized the inefficiency of certain airlines.

He assured that the government would conduct thorough infrastructure audits of all airlines and ban those exhibiting signs of inefficiency.

The attempt by protesters to enter the airport was halted at the checkpoint by the military, leading to heightened tensions.

Expressing their dissatisfaction, the protesters took action by obstructing the airport’s entry and exit, causing significant traffic congestion on both sides.

Travellers were compelled to navigate their way into the airport on foot, facing inconvenience due to the protest.

This protest is part of the nationwide strike declared by the NLC and TUC in response to the recent brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State.

As a result of the NLC’s directive, aviation unions, including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), had previously ordered the withdrawal of all flights to Owerri from airports across the country.

The unrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport underscores the widespread impact of the labor unions’ strike, disrupting both air travel and vehicular movement in the area.

The situation remains tense as the unions continue to push for their demands and protest against the reported brutality towards their leaders.

The incident occurred at approximately 0750 hours on Wednesday, with reports indicating that a smoke incident was detected at Terminal 1 of the airport, situated in Ikeja, Lagos.

Investigations revealed that the source of the smoke originated from the basement of the Terminal building.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, swiftly responded to the situation.

Firefighters from the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport acted promptly to bring the situation under control.

In adherence to their unwavering commitment to passenger, staff, and airport user safety, the Terminal building was immediately evacuated due to the presence of smoke in certain areas of the facility.

The FAAN assured the public that the situation is currently under control, emphasizing their steadfast dedication to safety, security, and passenger comfort.

This incident highlights the importance of preparedness and swift response in ensuring the safety of all individuals at the airport.

Speaking on the resolutions of the meeting, Wike said; “We have been able to resolve amicably with the community, and contractors will now move to site. As part of the incentives to the community, 12 immediate employment from the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies as the case maybe, and 10 from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the Jiwa community. We are going to construct Tunga Madaki Bridge, which we will put in the 2024 budget, with a 5km road. We are going to provide a modern healthcare facility for the community.

“The Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Aviation and that of the FCTA, His Royal Highness (the Sarkin Jiwa), AMAC Chairman, and the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (FCT) will sign the agreement reached between government and Jiwa Community, and if that is done today, by tomorrow or next, the moment the money gets to them, the contractors will no longer delay, as they have to move to the site immediately and commence work. So, the second runway has come to stay.

“I know how you are feeling. I am from a community where the government has taken virtually all our land for development. So, if there is anything that should be done to make you happy, I will carry it on my head. But the truth remains that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. If the Aviation ministry them had concerned themselves with the runway project alone, we wouldn’t have found ourselves here but they came to usurp the job of the FCTA.

“We have only one runway. How would you feel if something happens to that runway tomorrow? It means there will be no flights. In a city as big and cosmopolitan as Abuja?”, He queried.

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN said the ministry erred in the past by dabbling into issues outside its remit.

Keyamo said; “The timeline to commission the second runway was sometime in June or July 2023 and we have not even mobilized to the site by now.

“It is not the business of Aviation to assess compensation in matters of land in the FCT. So, I want to appeal to the community whatever you discussed with Aviation before was totally outside the powers of Aviation. It is within the powers of the FCTA to do that. There is a certain legal schedule by which compensation is paid. We know the implications of not following the provisions of the law. When they say rule of law, it does not apply to the government alone. It applies to all.

“We will perhaps think outside the box about maybe in the area of social responsibility to see how we can get other things for the people alongside what the law stipulates as compensation.”

The Executive Secretary of FCDA, Shehu Hadi had earlier clarified that the FCTA has no business offering compensation to occupants of land, having issued the land to a third party.

According to him, it is the duty of anyone who is offered land to compensate the occupants of that land.

“I want to clarify one of the issues raised which is payment of compensation. That is where the FCT perspective on this issue has to be made clear. It is the responsibility of the MDAs to make arrangements for the payment of compensation after we have allocated lands to them.

“The Department of Resettlement and Compensation in the FCT assists in the enumeration of economic trees, structures etc. for compensation”, he stated.

The traditional ruler of the area, the Sarkin Jiwa, Idris Musa urged the Aviation ministry and the FCTA to scale up the amount of compensation from less than N700,000 so that the people could acquire other lands while explaining the frustration of his people, adding that he had for months had sleepless nights because of the back and forth in respect of compensation.

He said, “We sat with the Aviation and FCT Administration. Aviation has a consultant in respect of the compensation but it was the consultant who sat with us and the FCTA was an observer. In certain terms, we have agreed with the consultant that they will pay N2.5m per hectare.

“So, at last, the administration said the Aviation had no right to do that, that it is the FCTA that should do it. Then each hectare came to less than N700,000. The community wrote to the FCT Public Complaints Commission and up till yesterday, we were holding meetings in my palace to see that this issue is resolved in the overriding public interest”.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, shared a video of the plane’s movement on his verified Twitter account on Friday.

In his tweet, Sirika expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the accomplishment, acknowledging the arduous and challenging journey it had been.

He extended his thanks to everyone who supported the project and expressed hope that the airline would bring benefits to Nigeria and future generations.

Sirika concluded by praying to Allah for the success and positive impact of the venture on the country and humanity.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on some of the memos that were deliberated upon at the FEC meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), according to Pantami, is tasked with making it easier for institutions and airports to use the internet.

He said: “The Federal Executive Council has approved two memos for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) a parastatal under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. In these memos, certain intervention projects are going to be implemented by the NCC.

“Internet will be provided in 20 selected airports in Nigeria and higher institutions of learning as well as some markets to support micro, small and medium enterprises. A contract was awarded for the provision of broadband in some selected airports. 20 of them are going to be covered in the first phase of the project.

“You have three airports in each geo-political zone. In the South-West you have two in Lagos State, one in Ondo State; South-East you have Imo, Anambra and Enugu States will benefit; Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States for South-South; North West has the Federal Capital Territory and Kwara States; Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi States will benefit from the North-West while Borno, Adamawa and Gombe States will benefit from the North-East Region.”

He revealed that internet broadband will be provided for free for use by passengers at the designated airports, noting that a sustainability model has been developed for effective maintenance of the facilities.

Pantami also revealed that 43 tertiary institutions would be linked to the internet facility too.

“Some of them are universities, some polytechnics and the price for the contract which covers the airports and institutions of learning is N18.95 billion. The second approval was for the provision of broadband to some selected markets. At the cost of N5.25 billion and the total for both memos is N24.20 billion and the project is going to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” the Minister of Communications stressed.

When compared to the N1.6 billion generated in the previous month, this represents a 20% increase in revenue generation.

Additionally, the command revealed that it had earned N7.02 billion over the previous four months, an increase of 5% from the N6.8 billion recorded in 2022.

Comptroller Mohammed Gidado, the Customs Area Controller, responded to the development by saying that November 2022 will go down in MMIA Command history as another productive month.

This was contained in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Juliana Tomo, on the command’s activities for the month of November, 2022.

The statement reads: “In this November review, the command collected the sum of N1.9 billion, a significant increase of N351 million in the revenue collected compared to that of October 2022.

“In four month, the Command collected the sum of N7,02 billion and increase when compared to N6.8 billion revenue collected within same period in 2021.

“In pursuance of the Nigeria Customs Service mandate which includes Interception of contrabands, examination of travelers and their baggage, cargo and mails; assessment and collection of Customs duty and other statutory taxes on goods and services as well as protecting businesses against illegal trade malpractices with the application of extant laws such as Sections 150 and 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 ( CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004) for the smooth running of the command.

“We recorded a greater success through a “Seamless Clearance Procedure” of passengers’ accompanied and unaccompanied baggage.

“We enjoined sister agencies at the MMIA to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure blockage of all possible avenues that may result in revenue leakages.

“Recall that the CAC had in October this year assured all voluntary compliance persons a good travel experience in the clearance of their shipment and would like to make known to the public that there has been a positive difference in the integrity of passengers’ declaration of goods in the preceding Month (November 2022) under review.”

The Special Adviser Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Mr. Ope George disclosed this while speaking at a media parley organised by the State Government held at Alausa, Ikeja.

He revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government has sought and obtained approval from the Federal Government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos.

According to him, the project, which is expected to take off in the year 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, noting that the master plan and aeronautical designs are in place; while studies are ongoing about strategies, funding and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the market place.

The Special Adviser also stated that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of five million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors.

This came even as the Managing Director, Captain Rabiu Yadudu stated that aviation security is reactive but that even as FAAN puts up measures to curb incursions into the airports, new technology or improvisation to beat the security is introduced and when found out the agency learns from it to ensure it is not repeated.

Yadudu spoke after inspecting ongoing works at Runway 18L reacting to questions bordering on the recent stowaway and other security issues.

He described the security issue as a race and that despite the daily wins a meagre percentile will be successful and that shames the whole work being done but that has not deterred the authority from it’s continued security upgrades.

He said,”Aviation security is very important component that is reactive. Anytime there is a violation, we learn something and make sure it does not happen again. Across the world security challenges are all over but FAAN what we hardly tell people is that everyday one to five people are arrested and unfortunately, it is maybe the 0.000001 percent that escapes and is successful but we are working on it.

“It is a race, we are always trying to be on top of the race but sometimes something like this happens and thwarts all out work and that is why we say there is a function of security that is reactive.

“100% functional security today but a new technology or new improvisation would all of a sudden render you vulnerable.”

Recall FAAN has put in order and awaiting delivery of visual and thermal cameras and other security equipment including motorized surveillance equipment to raise security at the nation’s major airports.

It was gathered that the inability of the travellers to enter the airport caused the development.

The domestic terminal one also known as the General Aviation Terminal and terminal two operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Service Limited of the Airport and the MMA were shut down by the students, which prevented passengers from entering the airport. For this reason, some local and international flights were re-scheduled.

NANS stormed the MMA area Monday morning in protest against the lingering strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The protest attracted the presence of the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who joined the students and assured them of support.

NANS is asking the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike action by ASUU, which began on February 14, 2022.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has, however, scheduled a Tuesday meeting with the leadership of the ASUU led by its President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, on possible solutions to the lingering issues..