The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has defended his decision to ground operations of Dana Air, citing an audit report from his predecessor that labeled the airline as “unhealthy” for operations.
Speaking on the Channels TV programme, Politics Today, Keyamo highlighted a series of incidents involving Dana Air, including an instance where the door of one of its aircraft opened mid-flight. He questioned the competence of the airline’s engineers, emphasizing that such incidents posed significant risks to passengers.
Keyamo revealed that internal reports conducted two years prior to his appointment had identified several infractions by Dana Air. The conclusion of these reports was that the airline was not in a suitable condition to fly. However, Keyamo expressed uncertainty about the remedial actions taken before the airline was allowed to resume operations.
He emphasized the gravity of the responsibility on his shoulders, stating, “The flying public is at risk, and if any tragic incident happens, the blame would fall on the Minister. I do not want to bear the burden of the blood of innocent Nigerians due to negligence or complicity.”
Keyamo clarified his role, stating that while he oversees the regulators of the aviation industry, his primary responsibility is not to regulate but to ensure that regulators execute their duties effectively.
In response to critics citing regulations and questioning his authority, Keyamo asserted his familiarity with the law, stating, “For those quoting the laws, they should know that I know the law more than they do.”
