Minister Keyamo Appeals To Nigerian Aviation Workers To Shelve Protest Plans Over 50% Revenue Cut
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to aviation workers to shield their nationwide planned protest against the 50% deduction from the internally generated revenue of aviation agencies by the Nigerian government.
The minister made the appeal in a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday in response to the announcement by the workers’ unions within the aviation sector to protest against President Bola Tinubu government’s deduction of 50% of all internally generated revenue of aviation agencies.
SaharaReporters had reported that in a united stance, employees of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced that they are set to stage peaceful protests at airports across Nigeria.
The protests, scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2024, are organised to demand an end to the 50% deduction from the internally generated revenue of the agencies, a policy the workers argue undermines their operational efficiency and financial stability.
The planned protest was announced in a joint statement signed on Wednesday by Comrade Ocheme Aba, General Secretary of NUATE; Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, Secretary General of ANAP; Comrade Sikiru Waheed, General Secretary of AUPCTRE; Comrade Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN; and Comrade Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary of NAAPE.
The protests are expected to affect airport operations nationwide, as workers demonstrate their frustration and call for the reversal of the policy.
The minister said the concerns of the workers, especially regarding the negative impact these deductions have on investment, maintenance of critical infrastructure, and overall operations of the agencies, have been duly noted.
Keyamo said, “We understand the significance of the issues raised and recognize the vital role that our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and smooth operation of the industry.
“The Ministry is committed to addressing these challenges in a manner that ensures the continued viability and sustainability of the sector while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.
“The Honourable Minister wishes to assure the workers’ Unions and other stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned about improvement of the Aviation sector and will give their demands due consideration with the goal of finding a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies.
“We appeal to all workers to remain calm and maintain industrial peace while the Government is working assiduously towards amicably resolving the matter.
“The Ministry appreciates their patience and understanding and remains committed to ensuring a conducive work environment for all.
“We thank the workers for their understanding and continued dedication to the aviation sector.”
