The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights, PNCF, of 10 private jet operators over failure to begin the recertification process. This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Friday, in Abuja. The operators, including Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd, were said to have violated regulations prohibiting the use of aircraft for commercial purposes.

The Federal Government has announced plans to inaugurate the next phase of Lagos- Calabar Coastal highway from Cross River to Akwa Ibom by August, 2024. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this at the stakeholder’s engagement meeting held at Ibom hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Saturday; with a view to sustain the on-going infrastructural developments drive in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are here to introduce Section Three and Four of the famous Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway. We started and awarded Section One which started in Lagos and terminated at deep port in Lagos and is at 47.4km.”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, affirmed that several private aircraft operating in Nigeria are being used to launder money, traffic drugs and other illicit activities. Keyamo made the disclosure in Abuja during the inaugurated of ‘Ministerial Taskforce Committee’, to checkmate illegal chartered operations in the country. The minister further stated that some of those involved in the illicit activities are those who acquired licenses for non-commercial flights operations but gone against the stipulated agreement of the licenses.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has expressed discontents over concerns of touts and extortionists at the Nigerian airports. Keyamo, who acknowledged that the prevalence activities of the touts were giving the nation a negative image, assured that the Federal Government is taking steps to resolve the concerns. The Minister however noted that most of the agencies involved are not directly under his ministry. He however said Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) who is equally concerned about the issue is coordinating efforts to tackle it.

Cross River State Government has revamped the Obudu Cattle Ranch for tourist’s visitation. The Commissioner for Culture, Art and Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, disclosed that the ranch, a tourist attraction, located on the Obudu plateau, in Obanliku Local Council area of the State, had been in a dilapidated state throughout the tenure of the past administration of Ben Ayade. However, the current government, in partnership with the CIBA Construction Company, is restoring the former glory of the ranch to receive tourists and other visitors.

The first edition of the Abuja City International Half Marathon, sponsored by Premium Trust Bank is scheduled to hold on Saturday, April 20, 2024. As a result of this event, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced several road diversions and alternative routes in Abuja.