The President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Ben Nnabue, has raised safety and security concerns in the aviation industry over the continued deduction of 50 per cent of the revenue generated by Federal Government agencies in the sector.
Nnabue raised the concerns during his speech at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration at the airport in Lagos.
Recall that the unions and government have been discussing the need to suspend the 50 per cent revenue being deducted by the government from the key aviation agencies.
After several attempts, the unions planned a nationwide protest on August 21, 2024, in response to the Federal Government’s continued deduction of 50 per cent from the internally generated revenue of aviation agencies.
Speaking at the workers’ celebration on Thursday, Nnabue recalled that the union had reached an agreement regarding the reduction, details of which he didn’t explain.
He added that the government has refused to honour the pact.
He said, “But, big concerns remain, as well as obstacles to the orderly growth of the industry which dot the aviation landscape: The Federal Government continues to deduct 50 per cent of total IGR of aviation agencies at source despite agreed review of same, and even from agencies that are unable to survive on whole generated incomes, and even as vital aspects of safety and security are being impinged upon.”
Amidst other pressing concerns, the workers also called the attention of the government to the lack of governing boards for aviation agencies, the condition of service, and poor remunerations of private aviation services providers, among others.
“All the government agencies in aviation remain without governing boards of directors, depriving the agencies of magnifying ideas and stultifying long-term planning.
“Even as aviation unions have successfully concluded the reviews of conditions of service of most of the public agencies, fears remain about their timely approvals by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
“It is, therefore, of vital importance that the NSIWC and the OHSF recognize their important roles in positively shaping the industrial atmosphere in our industry through speedy and conscientious processing of our conditions of service,” Nnabue stated.
Topping the workers’ concerns regarding maltreatment by private aviation service providers was the case of Turkish Airlines, as union leaders threatened a showdown with the airline.
The NUATE president accused the General Manager of the airline in Nigeria of stopping the staff from joining the unions and having offices in the airline, a development believed to be in sharp contrast to the provisions of Nigerian labour law.
This signalled another impending brawl between the unions and the airline as both parties had a long-standing disagreement, predominantly bordering on labour welfare, victimization, and their freedom to associate, especially with labour unions.
While calling on the government to urgently put up a national carrier, the unions also reminded the Federal Government of the outstanding payment of entitlements to the workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
“It is extremely sad that the case of outstanding payment to ex-workers of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, still lingers. Despite the tremendous effort by the Minister of Aviation and the firm promise by the Minister of Finance towards liquidating this debt to hapless pensioners, it is very disheartening that other public servants continue to prolong the suffering of fellow Nigerians. In the coming days, we shall engage with the Ministry of Finance officials to facilitate this payment in order to lay the ghost of Nigeria Airways to rest.
“Relatedly, it should be of immense worry to every Nigerian, especially the international travelling kind, that our Country, Nigeria, continues to dilly-dally on the critical question of establishing a new national carrier, considering the huge need for it. The union will shortly commence serious engagement with aviation authorities in this regard,” Nnabue stated.