By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

The Federal Government directives to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ,NCAA, to  remove and ground  all foreign aircraft registered in the private category that are listed on the Operations Specifications (Ops Specs) Part G of some Air Operator Certificate holders takes effect this week.

Speaking during the presentation of the report by the Ministerial Committee on Foreign Registered, Privately Operated Aircraft Operations in Nigeria chaired by Capt Victor Iriobe in Abuja, Mr. Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation, said, “I have also accepted the March 1 date for all foreign registered private category of aircrafts that are listed on the Ops Specs Part G of some AOC holders, must be removed from that status by NCAA”.

He said, “Consequently, the aircrafts operations will remain grounded until NCAA approves an alternative operational status for the aircrafts. So March 1, 2015 remains the date for this.”

Chidoka also directed the NCAA to immediately revoke the Flight Operations Clearance Certificate (FOCC) and Maintenance Clearance Certificate (MCC) or airlines operating commercial charters, instead of their NCAA authorisation for private and also impose civil penalties of N17billion, an equivalent of $100,000 on the aircrafts.