FG forms synergy with aviation unions to foster industry harmony, inclusiveness

Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has proposed a long-lasting synergy with aviation unions with a view to promoting industry harmony and inclusiveness.

The Minister made this proposal during a meeting with the joint Aviation Union leaders in Abuja recently.

The Minister, while appreciating the union’s support and solidarity with the Management so far, suggested quarterly meetings for synergy between the unions and the agencies. 

He appealed to them to support government initiatives and policies vis-a-vis the aviation roadmap.

He, also, pledged to work with them to achieve economic and human capital development in the sector. 

While promising to attend to their demands expeditiously, he asked the union leaders to make a detailed presentation of their demands and other observations in writing.

Speaking earlier, the National President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Comrade Ahmadu Ilitrus expressed delight at the appointment of the Minister, particularly to the Aviation Ministry. 

He said he was optimistic that the transparency and human right attribute of the Minister will be brought to bear in his present assignment as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

He enumerated the demands of the Union to include: pending relocation allowance for staff of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB); capacity building proposals from leadership of aviation unions and issues of inability of some agencies to conduct the year 2023 promotional exercise.

Other concerns include issues arising from tenure policy and retirement age of non-academic staff in the  Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and statutory 40% remittance to federation account from aviation agencies, among others.