President Bola Tinubu has decided to halt the proposed merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said

Keyamo said this comes after careful consideration of the Steve Oronsanye Report recommendations.

He also revealed that the aviation sector is exempted from the ban because President Tinubu is desirous of change and growth in the sector.

Keyamo disclosed this exemption in Abuja during the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The original directive, issued in a memo last year, stated, “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr President’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from 1st April 2024.

“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary.”

However, speaking at the event, the minister explained why the aviation sector was exempted from this directive, emphasizing the industry’s critical role in safety and international compliance.

“But let us also give particular thanks to Mr. President, because despite that memo, since last year, he has made an exception for the aviation industry,” he stated.

“I wrote a memo to him after that directive on behalf of the entire agency that says; Sir, we respect your directive; yes, we need to be frugal because the Nigerian people have also tightened their belts in the face of the economic reforms that are taking place. However, because of the safety of this sector, Sir, we need to make some exceptions for this sector. And the President graciously granted this for the aviation sector.”

The minister also addressed the proposed merger of the NCAA and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency which had been recommended in the Oronsanye Report, a document aimed at streamlining government agencies.

Speaking on the matter, he said, “From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.

“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.”

The minister further described NCAA as a resilient institution, saying, “NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCAA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.”

Referring to the Oronsanye Report, which had suggested merging the NCAA and NAMA, he recounted how the proposal was ultimately dropped by the federal government after careful consideration.

He said, “The Oronsanye report also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.

“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So the Oronsanye report came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.”