Keyamo to meet aviation union leaders on September 17 over planned protest

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says he will meet with aviation union leaders on September 17 over a planned protest.

Aviation union workers have announced plans to stage a peaceful protest on September 18.

The protest follows the refusal of the government to agree to their call for the reversal of the 50 percent deduction policy from the internally generated revenues (IGR) of agencies in the aviation sector.

In a statement on Thursday, Keyamo said the meeting will provide a platform to openly discuss the issues at hand and give President Bola Tinubu time to intervene.

The minister acknowledged the unions’ concerns about the financial strain the deductions have placed on the sector’s ability to meet critical safety and operational needs.

He appealed to the unions to reconsider the protest and give room for dialogue.

“We understand the strain this has placed on the sector’s ability to address critical safety and operational needs, and we take these concerns very seriously,” Keyamo said.

“We wish to assure the unions and all stakeholders that, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and His Excellency, Mr. President, are fully aware of the situation and are working diligently to find a resolution.

“The government is committed to ensuring that the aviation sector continues to operate efficiently and safely.

“In response to the concerns, the Ministry has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the unions on September 17, 2024.

“This meeting will provide a platform to openly discuss the issues at hand and allow His Excellency, Mr. President, sufficient time to intervene and address the unions’ concerns comprehensively.

“In light of this, we appeal to the unions to reconsider their planned peaceful protest on September 18, 2024, and allow for dialogue to take place.

“We believe that through constructive engagement, a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the aviation sector.

“We thank the unions for their patience and understanding and assure them that their voices are being heard and their concerns are being addressed.”

‘ULTIMATUM GIVEN EXPIRED AT END OF AUGUST’

In a memo titled ‘Save Aviation From Collapse – Notice Of Nationwide Protest,’ and dated September 11, the unions said the ultimatum given to Keyamo expired at the end of August.

The aviation union workers had on August 14 threatened to embark on a one-day strike to protest against the government’s decision.

The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

According to the memo, the warning strike would serve as a protest to demand the discontinuation of 50 percent deduction from the IGR of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The unions said the agencies are “cost recovery, and not profit making organisations,” hence “cannot survive on half incomes”.

“Information available to us indicates that some important safety critical activities of the Agencies are grinding to a halt under the yoke of the deductions,” the union said.

“It has therefore, become incumbent on us as trade unions and workers in aviation to let the public and the government be aware that we shall bear no responsibility in the certain event that the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source.

“All State Councils, Women Commissions /Committees, Youth Councils and Branches of our Unions nationwide are to fully mobilise for, and ensure full compliance and success of the peaceful protests.

“Further actions shall be decided and communicated in the events of the protest failing to achieve a desired result.”

On May 30, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) called for a reversal of the 50 percent deduction in its revenue.

NAMA said it is currently facing significant financial constraints due to the deduction.

Farouk Umar, managing director of NAMA, said the 50 percent revenue deduction was hindering the agency’s ability to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure.