The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has called for Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON’s) divestment of its shares in Aero Contractors and Arik Air to ensure stability of the airlines.
In his May Day message, President of the association, Ben Nnabue said AMCON’s continued refusal to adequately fund Arik Air and AERO Contractors undermines operational stability and growth, even for the larger sector.
He said AMCON should divest its shares in Arik Air and AERO through the capital market to enable professional, market-driven management.
While also frowning at AMCON’s non-expertise, he said : ‘without aviation competence, continues to interfere in day-to-day operations using inexperienced personnel, causing setbacks in a safety-critical industry. The redeployment of personnel from Arik Air into AERO is counterproductive and destabilising.
“We therefore request that Arik Air and AERO Contractors be granted tax waivers and fiscal relief to support their recovery and preserve jobs.”, he said.
In the same vein, NUATE made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government for a special grant to overhaul Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA’s) ageing navigational aids and procure the most reliable radar system in the world by Indra of Spain.
“This has become necessary to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace architecture. Recall the fire outbreak at Murtala Mohammed International Airport that burnt down communication systems. There is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the communication architecture to avoid blind spots in the air, in the interest of safety of the flying public.
“We urge the Federal Government to treat this as a national security and economic priority. Airspace safety directly impacts tourism, trade, and Nigeria’s aspiration to be a regional aviation hub.
The workers also accused Caveron helicopters of betrayal addi g that for over three years, Caverton has refused to honour signed agreements on terminal benefits and severance for disengaged workers.
“These are men and women who spent up to 25 years flying into offshore rigs at great personal risk. Many are now ill, some have died, and their families remain destitute.How do we explain to a widow that her husband died waiting for the fruit of his labour? We have written. We have negotiated. We have been patient. Our patience is exhausted.
“We put Caverton on notice: Pay our members now, or the skies will hear from us. We further call on the Honourable Minister of Aviation and the NCAA to apply sanctions. No company should operate in Nigeria while treating Nigerian workers as expendable.”
NUATE also condemned the arbitrary termination of Nigerian staff by Turkish Airlines without due process, fair hearing, or adequate compensation, adding that this violates Nigerian labour law, the applicable Conditions of Service, and ILO Conventions.
According to the association, no foreign carrier should earn billions from the Nigerian market while discarding our citizens.
“NUATE demands immediate reinstatement or payment of full negotiated entitlements, notwithstanding ongoing litigation that has prolonged our members’ hardship. We urge the NCAA and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to investigate and sanction this impunity.”, it stated.
The union lamented the unresolved issue of outstanding entitlements to ex-Nigeria Airways workers saying that bureaucratic delays by other public servants had continue to prolong the suffering of the ex-staff who gave their productive years to this nation.
“In the coming days, NUATE will intensify engagement with officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance to facilitate the immediate settlement of these entitlements. We must lay the ghost of Nigeria Airways to rest — with dignity, and without further delay.”, it added.
The union also berated government for continued delay in approving conditions of service, saying NUATE will mobilize the entire aviation workforce to commence the suspended nationwide protest, as the two-week ultimatum has almost expired.
“We view with concern the avoidable delays by the Budget Office and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in approving Conditions of Service for aviation agencies. These approvals are critical to workers’ welfare and must not be treated perfunctorily. We demand efficiency and urgency.
“We call on the Federal Government and all industry stakeholders to recognise a simple truth: a frustrated workforce is a threat to safety and efficiency. We demand renewed commitment to social justice that reflects the vital role aviation workers play in the national economy.”
