FG seeks solution to aviation workers’ demands amid planned strike

• Published On: 16 August 2024 at 20:16

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has urged aviation employees to remain calm, pledging that the federal government will seek a solution that meets the aviation agencies' financial and operational needs.

This follows a planned protest by aviation unions across the country.

Keyamo stated on Friday via his official X handle that he understands the unions' concerns.

The unions recently condemned the ongoing 50% revenue deduction imposed on federal agencies that oversee and regulate the aviation industry.

These agencies are the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau.

In light of this, the National Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Practitioners, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, the 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 urge the government to reverse the deduction policy.

As a result, the National Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Practitioners, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and the Air Transports Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria have planned a nationwide protest to force the government to reverse its deduction policy.

In the statement, Keyamo acknowledged the unions' grievances and emphasized the importance of resolving the 50% deduction issue.

He assured aviation employees that President Tinubu is aware of the situation and is committed to resolving the aviation industry's concerns.

"We recognize the importance of the issues raised and the critical role our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the industry's safety, efficiency, and smooth operation. The Ministry is committed to addressing these challenges in order to ensure the sector's long-term viability and sustainability while maintaining the highest service delivery standards.

"The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the workers' Unions and other stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned about the improvement of the Aviation sector and will give their demands due consideration to find a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies," the statement added.

He also called on workers to maintain industrial peace while the government works hard to find a solution.