Minister appeals to aviation unions to shelve protest plans

Following the notice of an impending protest by the aviation unions in the country, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to the workers for calm, promising that the Federal Government will find a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies.

This was contained in a statement personally signed by the minister on Friday.

Barely 24 hours ago, the union decried the continuous deduction of 50 per cent of revenue of the federal government agencies managing and regulating the aviation industry.

The agencies are; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau.

According to the union, this deduction was already forcing the agencies to their knees.

Consequently, various aviation unions comprising the National Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Practitioners, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees and the Air Transports Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, have concluded plans to embark on a nationwide protest to force the government to rescind the decision on the deduction.

Keyamo who admitted that the concerns of the unions are genuine stressed that the 50 per cent deduction issue will be resolved as a matter of urgency.

To also immediately quell the tension and avoid the wrath of industrial action, the minister assured the angry unions that President Bola Tinubu was concerned about the issues in the aviation sector, promising that their grievances would be given due consideration.

“We understand the significance of the issues raised and recognize the vital role that our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the industry’s safety, efficiency, and smooth operation. The Ministry is committed to addressing these challenges to ensure the continued viability and sustainability of the sector while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.

“​The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the workers’ Unions and other stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned about the improvement of the Aviation sector and will give their demands due consideration to find a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies. “

Further appealing to the union, the minister said,” We appeal to all workers to remain calm and maintain industrial peace while the Government is working assiduously towards amicably resolving the matter.”