By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to withdraw already approved airstrip licences granted to Living Faith Church, private individuals and organizations, and stop further issuance of license to private individuals and organizations as a way to safeguard national security.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “NEED TO STOP ISSUANCE OF AIRSTRIP LICENSE TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY, by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi on Wednesday at plenary.
Debating the motion, Rep. Gumi noted that the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
He also explained that on Sunday, 6th October, 2024, the Founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State informed his congregation of the approval of an airstrip granted by the Federal Government to his Church.
He said: “Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms. The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities has two Nigerians and an Israeli on board, (Sahara Reporters, 16th September, 2014);
“The country currently experience security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the Country;
“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country”.
However when the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote, the “NAY” was loudest but the “AYES” was given as the Speaker said, “the Ayes have it” and hit the gavel.
The House then mandated its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.