By Adedapo Adesanya
A group of Nigeria’s aviation unions has threatened to down tools and embark on a nationwide protest on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, over continuous deduction of remittances from the Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) of aviation agencies by the federal government.
The protest, the unions said, will take place at all airports nationwide if the federal government fails to exempt these agencies from the deductions.
The affected agencies are the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The threat sparked a quick response from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, who appealed to the unions to reconsider their planned protest on September 18, 2024, and allow for dialogue.
Speaking yesterday, he noted that the government believes through constructive engagement, a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the aviation sector.
According to a statement, the Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the unions within the aviation sector regarding the deduction of 50 per cent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at source by the government.
He assured all stakeholders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was looking into the concerns raised.
The unions explained that these agencies are cost-recovery organizations and not profit-making entities and as such, they cannot survive on half of their incomes.
The unions warned that critical safety activities within these agencies are already being compromised due to the financial strain imposed by the deductions, noting that this has emasculated their operations and may degenerate further if the deductions are not halted.
They further cautioned that they would not be held responsible if the aviation industry becomes dysfunctional due to these financial constraints.
The statement read in part: “All efforts on our part have failed to impress 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. The ultimatum given to the Minister of Aviation has expired since the end of August 2024.
“Information available to us indicates that some important safety-critical activities of the agencies are grinding to a halt under the yoke of the deductions.
“It has therefore become incumbent upon us as trade unions and workers in aviation to inform the public and the government that we shall bear no responsibility if the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source.
“All State Councils, Women Commissions/Committees, Youth Councils, and branches of our unions nationwide are to fully mobilise for, and ensure full compliance with, the success of the peaceful protests.”
The joint statement which was signed by the secretaries of the unions stated that they had given the Minister of Aviation an ultimatum, which had expired, and are now warning that they will not be held responsible if the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity.
The unions have called on all state councils, women’s commissions, youth councils, and branches nationwide to mobilize and ensure the success of the protest while further actions will be decided and communicated if the protest does not achieve the desired result.
According to Mr Keyamo, “We understand the strain this has placed on the sector’s ability to address critical safety and operational needs, and we take these concerns very seriously.
“We wish to assure the unions and all stakeholders that, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and His Excellency, Mr. President, are fully aware of the situation and are working diligently to find a resolution.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the aviation sector continues to operate efficiently and safely.”
He further said that in response to the concerns, the Ministry has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the unions on September 17, 2024.