The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged aviation unions in the country to reconsider their plans for an upcoming protest. He reassured the workers that the Federal Government is committed to finding a sustainable solution that addresses both the government’s financial needs and the operational requirements of Aviation Agencies.
In a statement issued personally by the minister on Friday, he acknowledged the concerns raised by the unions. The unions recently expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous deduction of 50% of revenue from federal government agencies overseeing the aviation industry. These agencies include Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau.
The unions argued that the deduction was putting undue strain on the agencies. Consequently, various aviation unions, such as 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, are planning a nationwide protest to push the government to reconsider the deduction.
Keyamo assured that the 50% deduction issue will be promptly addressed, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. To ease tensions and prevent a potential strike, the minister also stated that President Bola Tinubu is actively engaged with the aviation sector’s concerns and that their grievances will be given serious consideration.
“Recognizing the crucial role played by our aviation workforce in ensuring industry safety, efficiency, and seamless operations, the Ministry is dedicated to resolving these challenges to uphold sector sustainability and service excellence,” mentioned Keyamo.
He further added, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to enhancing the aviation sector and will carefully consider the demands put forth to strike a balance between fiscal requirements and operational needs of Aviation Agencies.”
In a final plea to the unions, the minister urged workers to maintain calm and foster industrial harmony while the government works towards a peaceful resolution of the issue.