Aviation Unions Announce Peaceful Protest
Aviation workers’ unions in Nigeria plan to stage a peaceful protest at all airports on September 18, 2024. They are protesting because the Federal Government refuses to reverse a policy deducting 50% of key aviation agencies’ IGR. This deduction severely impacts the agencies’ ability to operate effectively and maintain essential services. The unions aim to pressure the government to reverse the policy through their nationwide demonstration. This policy significantly reduces the agencies’ revenue, impacting their ability to operate effectively.
Joint Statement Highlights Government Inaction
Representatives from major unions signed a joint statement expressing frustration over the government’s inaction regarding their previous appeals. Signatories included Ocheme Aba of NUATE, Frances Akinjole of ATSSSAN, and others representing major aviation unions across Nigeria. They emphasized that affected agencies operating on cost-recovery cannot survive if half their revenue is siphoned off. Their statement highlights the urgent need for the government to reverse the 50% revenue deduction policy.
Impact on Aviation Agencies
The unions stressed that the 50% revenue deduction severely hampers the operations of essential aviation bodies like the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). “All efforts on our part have failed to impress upon the federal government that all the agencies are cost recovery and not profit-making organisations,” the statement read.
Previous Appeals and Expired Ultimatum
Despite prior engagements and an ultimatum given to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the government has yet to take action. The unions noted that the issue dates back to October 2022, when the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy introduced a 25% deduction, which later increased to 50% in January 2024 under the current administration.
Minister’s Assurances Fall Short
The unions recalled that Minister Festus Keyamo had acknowledged their concerns and assured them that resolving the issue was a priority. He had indicated that President Bola Tinubu was also keen on addressing the challenges in the aviation sector. However, the absence of concrete action has left the workers with no option but to proceed with the planned protest.
Nationwide Action Set for September 18
“All workers of the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, NCAT, and NSIB, in joint solidarity with all aviation workers, are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on September 18, 2024,” the unions declared. The upcoming protest underscores the escalating tensions between the government and aviation sector employees over policies affecting the industry’s sustainability.
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