- Aviation union threatened to protest in response to the 50 per cent deduction of the agencies' internally generated revenues (IGR)
- Federal Government appealed, asked the union to shelve planned protests
- Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said union demands will be carefully considered to achieve a lasting solution
The Aviation union, which includes the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE), issued a memo on Wednesday, August 14 threatening to stop work on August 21 in reaction to the Federal Government's deduction of 50 per cent of aviation agencies' internally generated revenues (IGR).
However, the Federal Government had requested that aviation unions suspend their plans to protest over the 50% deduction from the internal revenue of aviation agencies.
FG appealed to aviation union members to suspend protest plans
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement he made on Friday, August 16, assured the workers’ unions and sector stakeholders that Tinubu is highly focused on improving the Aviation sector.
Keyamo said, “We appeal to all workers to remain calm and maintain industrial peace while the Government is working assiduously towards amicably resolving the matter. The Ministry appreciates their patience and understanding and remains committed to ensuring a conducive work environment for all.”
Unions’ demands will be carefully considered to achieve lasting solution
He emphasised that their demands would be carefully considered in order to achieve a lasting solution that aligns the government’s fiscal responsibilities with the operational needs of the aviation agencies.
Keyamo further read, “The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been made aware of the call to action by the workers’ unions within the aviation sector to protest the Federal Government’s deduction of 50% of all internally generated revenue of Aviation Agencies at the source.
“The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the workers’ Unions and other stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned about improvement of the Aviation sector and will give their demands due consideration with the goal of finding a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies.
Government recognises aviation’s concerns, promises support
The statement further read, “The concerns of the workers, especially regarding the negative impact these deductions have on investment, maintenance of critical infrastructure, and overall operations of the Agencies, have been duly noted.
“We understand the significance of the issues raised and recognize the vital role that our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and smooth operation of the industry. The Ministry is committed to addressing these challenges in a manner that ensures the continued viability and sustainability of the sector while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.
“We thank the workers for their understanding and continued dedication to the aviation sector,” the statement read.
#Endbadgovernance protests: Hunger protest is enough to impeach Tinubu, governors - Saliu Lukman
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the former vice-chairman of the ruling party in the North West geopolitical zone, Salihu Lukman, said the just-concluded nationwide #Endbadgovernance protests are a valid basis for impeaching President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also mentioned that the grievances expressed during the protest could have potentially warranted the legal dismissal of some state governors.