The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has said that the Mr. Chris Najomo remains the acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Ministry in a statement signed by its Head Public Affairs , Odutayo Oluseyi, was refuting to a publication in the Punch newspaper of Wednesday June 19, 2024 expressing worry over the assumed tenure elapse tof the acting DG CAA.
It maintained that Najomo according the public service rules has a duration of not more than one year to direct the affairs of the Agency under an acting capacity, adding that the rules say the duration can be extended by an additional one year in exceptional cases.
The statement noted that Najomo has only acted for six months, therefore statutorily remains the acting Director General.
The statement read: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been drawn to an article in the Punch Newspaper of Wednesday, June 19th 2024 titled ‘Worry as NCAA Acting Director General (DG) tenure expires.’
“The Public Service Rules (PRS) which define employment relationship between employees in the Public Service and the Government in section 7: 020704(b) on Acting Appointment stipulates, that ‘the period of Acting appointment shall not exceed one year, but in exceptional circumstances may be extended for another year.’
“The Acting Director-General, Mr. Chris Najomo has been in office for only six months.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, did not appoint Capt. Chris Najomo as Acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on a six-month tenure.
“The appointment of Capt. Chris Najomo on acting capacity was based on the suspension of the former Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority by Mr. President based on an on-going investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on allegations of corruption against him.
“This clarification has become expedient in order not to create unnecessary tension and disaffection in the Civil Aviation Industry.
“There is no worry at all about the tenure of Mr. Chris Najomo as he remains the acting Director-General of the NCAA.”