Bishop Oyedepo
Withdraw airstrip licence granted to Oyedepo, others, Reps asks Aviation Ministry
The House of Representatives has asked the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace management withdraw the licence granted to the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, and other individuals and organisations to establish airstrips.
The lawmakers also directed the ministry to stop the issuance of airstrip licences to private individuals and organisations forthwith.
This position followed the House resolution after it adopted a motion moved at the plenary on Wednesday by Hon. Sulaiman Gumi.
Gumi, who moved the motion, said 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 said, “Also aware 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, however, recalled that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms.
He said the private jet was seized by the South African authorities, and had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
The lawmaker raised the concern about Nigeria’s insecurity which has excerbated due illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, also compounded by inability of the security agencies to find out sources of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have continued to kill thousands of Nigerians across the country.
He said granting airstrip to private individuals and organisations would aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, and consequently invrrased insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.
Consequently, the House resolved: “Call on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to stop issuance of airstrip licence to private individuals and organizations, and also withdraw approvals already granted to private individuals and organizations, with a view to safeguarding national security.”
The House further urged its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
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