Aviation workers turn down, vow to press on with their agitation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Aviation workers have rejected the new Condition of Service (CoS) released by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), saying it has discrepancies compared with what they negotiated with the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The workers insisted at an executive council meeting of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) the CoS fails to meet expectations of better welfare.
Air transport workers have been agitating for CoS review for more than a decade with a series of negotiations held with various agencies of government.
NAAE National President Selzing Miri said, in their own case, the document does not address their demands and concerns as engineers, as negotiated with NAMA management.
He complained the NSIWC expunged a vital part of the document, released something different from what was negotiated with NAMA, and does not reflect the agreement signed by unions and NAMA management which was sent to the NSIWC.
In his view, the CoS is both unjust and an attempt to frustrate the dedication and productivity of workers who ensure safe and efficient air traffic operations.
“We firmly believe that the omission of these allowances fails to acknowledge the immense contributions, responsibility, expertise and risks associated with our profession,” he said, per The Guardian.
“This is a deliberate attempt to frustrate workers and cause industrial unrest in the system.”
Miri vowed NAAE members would not relent until they get a fair deal from the industry and the government.
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Foreign airlines’ trapped funds in Nigeria grow to $783
Still on the problems in air travel, foreign airlines’ funds held up in Nigeria have grown to $783 million, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed, to put pressure on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the money as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement issued by IATA Vice President for Africa and Middle East, Kamil Al Awadhi, disclosed the sum as well as engagements with Abuja to resolve the blockade.
Inability to repatriate funds is one of the reasons some foreign airlines have closed down their operations in Nigeria, the largest air travel market in Africa.
“Al Awadhi also met with Nigeria’s new Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development … Festus Keyamo, during which he called on the new government for continued, but closer, consultation with the industry while developing short- and long-term solutions for foreign exchange access to both domestic and foreign carriers.
“As of August 2023, Nigeria accounts for $783m of airlines’ blocked funds, ” the statement said.
IATA disclosed, however, it is impressed with the commitment of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to improving infrastructure and service levels at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos within 12 months.
The body had last year raised concerns over a number of safety, security, and passenger service level challenges at the airport.
 released by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) ....){kind=link}