The attention of the Management of Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been drawn to a report by Princess Etuk, a Correspondent of Punch Newspaper dated 5th March,2025 titled: FG LOSES N120BN TO ILLEGAL PRIVATE JET CHARTERS.
The reporter claimed to have cited the report of the 7-Member Committee on Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Charter Operations and Related Matters presented to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
According to Princess Etuk, some of the major names listed in the report include Arik Air Limited, BUA International Limited, Dominion Air Limited, Executive Jets Services, Max Air Limited, Rivers State Government, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited and Nestoil PLC.
It is instructive to note:
- that the purported report claimed to be cited by Punch reporter was submitted to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development at the evening of the 4th of March, 2025 and is yet to be studied;
- that members of the Task Force who wrote the Report have contacted the Ministry saying that none of such names mentioned by Punch Newspaper were listed in the report;
- that part of the recommendation in the report as stated by the chairman of the Task Force is that government should, strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance security measures, improve compliance with aviation laws, and ensure that private charter operations are conducted transparently and in line with international standards.
- that Journalists are known to work with facts, figures and statistics, and first-hand information is sine qua non to this noble profession. Princess Etuk is advised to be abreast of objective reportage.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development urges the Punch Newspaper to retract their story and in future obtain credible information from the Ministry should the case arise.
The Ministry wishes to appeal to the general public and those listed by Punch Newspaper to please disregard such misinformation capable of breaching public trust and national harmony. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and her agencies are always determined to provide conducive regulations and services to the public.
Signed
Odutayo Oluseyi
Head Press and Public Affairs
