The Ministry of Aviation has announced a
suspension of the importation of private jets into the country pending
the renewal of the policy on private jets. This suspension
affects private airplanes, helicopters and other lighter aircraft.
The suspension would continue until the formulation of a new policy on importation of private jets and helicopters.
The Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, who confirmed the development told Punch that the suspension did not affect the importation of commercial and passenger jets being used by domestic airlines.
“The domestic airlines are free to
bring in their normal passenger planes. But the suspension only affects
private jets. The government is trying to work on a new policy for the
private jet. You will agree with me that the current policy on private
jets is old, and there is a need to renew it. Pending that renewal, all
applications for importation for now will have to hold on.”
When asked if there was a time frame for the lifting of the suspension, Obi said, “There
is no definite time for now. It depends on when the new policy is
completed. Government is working on the policy. When it is completed,
every body will be informed.”
Investigations by Punch
further revealed that the development was already affecting not only
some wealthy Nigerians, who had ordered for private jets, but also their
appointed agents helping them to handle the purchase from foreign
manufacturers.
Some of them have been waiting for
approval to import aircrafts from the United States, France and South
Africa. Players in the private jet sub-sector said some of the
prospective buyers of the private jets might lose the non-refundable
deposits they had paid to the manufacturers.
The Nigerian private jet market has been
one of the fastest growing in the world lately. Between 2007 and 2012,
private jet ownership rose from 20 to 150.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Is this meant to force everyone to resume flying Dana Airline whose controversial recertification is the subject of on-going rift b/w the NASS & The Aviation Ministry? Or is it intended to stop corrupt State Governors from 'cornering' state funds under the guise of acquiring 'State Jets' and being tempted to pilot it themselves? Or could it be that the growing number of Pastors owning Private Jets is making the Govt. uncomfortabble? I honestly think the suspension is unresonable/senseless. How many of the thieves in Power fly commercial aircrafts except it is absolutely unaviodable? Why is the President seeking to purchase more planes in Presidential Air fleet which we hear, has more functional planes than the Nigerian Air Force! Who are they deceiving? We need more private planes jare! By the Grace of God, I will BUY mine this year!
ReplyDelete