Victor EzejaMinister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has stated that the licence granted to Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, headed by David Oyedepo will not be revoked.
Keyamo stated this while reacting to calls for the removal of the Winners’ Chapel airstrip.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa reports that the House of Representatives had called for the withdrawal of licences granted to the church, other private individuals and organizations, citing concerns about national security.
Also, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), demanded the revocation of the airstrip licence.
However, Keyamo, who appeared on Arise News breakfast programme, Morning Show, declared that the church had complied with all legal requirements prior to the airstrip’s approval and that it had not broken any laws guiding the licence. The minister said it took him one year to approve the airstrip as they went through all the processes.
Keyamo maintained that all individuals and organizations that have airstrip have been complying with the legal requirements, adding that singling out a particular entity to withdraw their licence without any clear breaches would amount to discrimination.
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“The people have not breached any terms upon which we gave them the license. If you single them out, the constitution says you should not discriminate against any Nigerian. They are following the rules,” Keyamo declared.
“It took me one year to approve that airstrip because we went through so many processes. By law, I said the minister would approve. That is what the law says. And it came to me. I looked at all the processes. I approved.”
Addressing security concerns raised by the lawmakers and others, the aviation minister stated that it is not possible for any aircraft to take from any private airstrip in Nigeria and fly outside the country. “This is not possible,” Keyamo asserted, adding that they must first land at an international airport, checked and processed before they fly out.
“If you are flying in, you must first land at an international airport. You will be processed before you fly to your private airstrip,” the minister further explained.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
