Aviation workers in Nigeria will embark on a nationwide peaceful protest to express their displeasure over the federal government’s ongoing deduction of fifty per cent from the domestically generated revenue of important aviation agencies.
The affected agencies which includes the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau are expected to embark on a peaceful protest slated for 21 August, 2024 to demand a reversal of the government’s 50 per cent deduction policy.
This was disclosed in a letter dated August 14 2024, titled, “Save Aviation From Collapse” and released to press men on Thursday.
The unions warned that vital safety operations within these agencies are already being compromised as a result of the financial strain imposed by the deductions.
They cautioned that they would not be held liable if the aviation sector becomes defective due to these financial constraints.
The letter stated, “All workers of the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, NCAT and NSIB, joined by the solidarity of all aviation workers are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, to demand the discontinuation of deduction of 50% from the internally generated revenue of the agencies mentioned above through exemption.
“All efforts on our part have failed to impress it upon the Federal Government that all the Agencies are cost recovery, and not profit making, organisations. As such they cannot survive on half of their incomes under any model of administration or any other guise whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for calm among aviation employees, pledging that the federal government would seek a solution that would meet the needs of the aviation agencies in terms of both finances and operations.
Keyamo made this statement in a post on Friday via his official X handle, expressing his understanding of the unions’ concerns.
In the statement, Keyamo recognized the unions’ grievances and emphasized that resolving the 50 percent deduction issue is a priority.
He assured the aviation employees that President Tinubu is aware of the situation and dedicated to resolving the aviation industry’s concerns.
“We understand the significance of the issues raised and recognize the vital role that our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the industry’s safety, efficiency, and smooth operation. The Ministry is committed to addressing these challenges to ensure 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 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,” he stated.
He further called on workers to maintain industrial peace while the government works diligently to find solution.
