Chinedu Eze
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed some oil marketing companies to stop supplying aviation fuel, known as Jet A1 to airlines due to lack of depot facilities.
NCAA took a directive from the Department of Petroleum Resources, which was aimed at ensuring the right quality and product of product was supplied to the airlines.
These marketing companies include Jushad Oil and Gas Limited, Lubcon Limited, Ascon Oil Company Limited, Acorn Petroleum Limited and Star Orient Aviation Limited.
The regulatory body in a circular with reference number: NCAA/DAW/AD. 1104/AOL052/VOL.1, dated November 9, 2015 and addressed to Airline Operators of Nigeria (AOL) with the title, “Notice of Suspension of Some Companies from Providing Aviation Fuel Supply Services to Airlines at Airports in Nigeria”, explained that the reason for the suspension was that the said companies did not have depot facilities and therefore should not be engaged in the distribution of aviation fuel at the airports.
The letter said, “This is to notify you that the authority is in receipt of a letter from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that the underlisted companies have no depot facilities and should not be engaged in aviation fuel distribution at the airport.
“The letter further asserted that the integrity and competences of these companies cannot be ascertained by the DPR and advised the Authority that these companies be disallowed from further supply of aviation fuel to airlines located in Nigeria.”
The circular also said NCAA had required the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to deny the aforementioned companies access into airports in Nigeria, including their aviation fuelling vehicles and personnel till further notice.
“You are hereby required to suspend the fueling of your aircraft by any of thee companies until further notice,” NCAA directed the airlines and urged them to ensure strict compliance.
The circular was signed by the Director of Airworthiness Standards, Benedict Adeyileka on behalf of the Director General of NCAA.
