Aviation unions threaten to disrupt flights

Flights will soon be disrupted nationwide by Nigeria’s aviation unions as they proceed on a two-day national warning strike.

The strike is aimed at protesting the plan by the Federal Government to merge some agencies in the industry.

No time has yet been fixed for the action, but it is planned for May.

The Stephen Oransaye Committee had recommended the merger of various government agencies in a move to reduce overhead costs and streamline their functions.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are to be merged under the arrangement.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) say they are opposed to the move.

The National President of ATSSSAN, Mr Benjamin Okewu, said the unions were currently meeting to take their stands.

The National Executive Council meeting of the unions will meet sometime in May to take a stand.

He said: “ATSSSAN has concluded plans to get the endorsement of the strike from all its organs as its National Administrative Council Meeting and the National Executive Council meeting are scheduled for May.

“We have put our members on red alert, in preparation for the two-day warning strike aimed at paralysing the country’s aviation sector.”

Okewu said that the unions vowed to close down airports across the country as the warning strike would be the first of its kind in the country.

He, however, said that the unions have written to the National Assembly, the Presidency and the National Security Adviser over the planned strike.

The unions have also itemised reasons why government should not go ahead with its plan on the merger, he said.