NCAA Suspends Non-licensed Oil Marketers, Bars them from Operating at Airports

Chinedu Eze

Few months after the major incident of contaminated aviation fuel involving one of the domestic carriers, Max  Air, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended all non-licensed oil markets and others with expired license from operating and fuelling aircraft at any of the nation’s airports.

Series of meetings were held between the NCAA and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over the incident with a review and scrutiny of the existing marketers that supply aviation fuel to the airports and at the end, the regulatory authority decided to suspend those who did not meet the standards and certification.

The NCAA announced the suspension at the inauguration of the joint NCAA Audit Committee of all Aviation Fuel Activities in Nigeria

The Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, said that the detection of non licensed aircraft fuellers and expired license holders was achieved in collaboration with NMDPRA.

Nuhu who was represented by Director, Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, said: “This collaboration with NMPDRA has yielded positive results so far. The collaboration has led to the identification of all non licensed fuellers and those with expired licenses. That has led to suspension of all their activities in the airport in Nigeria.”

He also said an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been issued mandating operators to comply with all requirements for fuelling as approved, stressing that the NCAA has heightened surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance.

According to him, the recent fuel contamination incidents, particularly of Max Air, has generated attention even  beyond the country.

“This has created negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear amongst the public, which is justified,” he said.

Nuhu assured that Nigerian skies are safe as the NCAA has always been thorough in granting approvals.

He also said the CAAs oversight responsibilities which include surveillance and audits of all operators have increased.