Nigerian Aviation Minister Keyamo, FCCPC differ over Air Peace probe

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have taken a divergent stance over the probe of Air Peace, a domestic airline for exploitative airfares.

In a recent interview on Arise Television, Keyamo described the FCCPC statement on the Air Peace probe as careless and reckless.

Recall that FCCPC vowed to continue its investigation of Air Peace regarding alleged exploitative airfares amid what the commission described as obstruction of its inquiry by the airline.

Reacting, Keyamo said FCCPC made such an allegation against Air Peace without contacting the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the aviation regulatory authority.

“I think it was a very careless statement by that agency (FCCPC), for making that statement without consulting the core agency involved in regulation of the aviation industry, the NCAA.

“The powers to regulate and for the airlines to inform about their pricing and all are domiciled in the NCAA,” he said.

Earlier, Air Peace accused FCCPC of being used by some elements to frustrate its business.

A week ago, the Nigerian government launched an inquiry into Air Peace, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), a telecommunications firm, and MTN over possible violations of consumers’ rights.