The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted the
suspension it recently imposed on Acorn Petroleum Limited from supplying
aviation fuel to domestic and foreign airlines at airports in the country.
NCAA had suspended Acorn and four other oil marketing
companies from supplying aviation fuel to local and foreign airlines operating
in the country.
In a notice to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the
NCAA explained that the suspension became necessary due to lack of depot
facilities by the oil firms and the inability to verify their integrity and
competencies.
But THISDAY gathered that the sanction against Acorn has
been lifted via a letter signed on behalf of the Director General of NCAA by
the Director of Air-worthiness Standards, Mr. Benedict Adeyileka.
The NCAA’s letter, which was addressed to the Managing
Director of Acorn Petroleum Limited, said the suspension was lifted as a result
of certification of Acorn's aviation fuel supply facilities by the Department
of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the NCAA.
“This certification was preceded by verification visits by
top officials of the two regulatory agencies. These visits were found
satisfactory,” said the letter.
The NCAA however advised Acorn to remain in compliance with
all regulations that cover the aviation fuel.
The NCAA has directed
Jushad Oil and Gas Limited, Lubcon Limited, Ascon Oil Company Limited, Acorn
Petroleum Limited and Star Orient Aviation Limited to stop supplying aviation
fuel, known as Jet A1 to airlines due to lack of depot facilities, via a
circular dated November 9, 2015 and signed by Adeyileka, on behalf of the
Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman.
The circular, with reference number: NCAA/DAW/AD. 1104/AOL052/VOL.1
was addressed to AON.
It was entitled, “Notice of Suspension of Some Companies
from Providing Aviation Fuel Supply Services to Airlines at Airports in
Nigeria.’’
The circular said the companies were suspended because they
had no depots and therefore should not be engaged in the distribution of
aviation fuel at the airports.
“This is to notify you that the authority is in receipt of a
letter from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that the under listed
companies have no depot facilities and should not be engaged in aviation fuel
distribution at the airport.
“The integrity and competences of these companies cannot be
ascertained by the DPR and it is advised that they should be disallowed from
further supply of aviation fuel to airlines located in Nigeria,’’ it said.
The circular stated that NCAA had directed the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria to deny the companies access into airports in
Nigeria, including their aviation fueling vehicles and personnel till further
notice.
“You are hereby required to suspend the fueling of your
aircraft by any of these companies until further notice,” NCAA said
