Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
EX-WORKERS of the now defunct Nigeria Airways have described as untrue, information twitted by Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun that there has been no presidential approval for payment of their terminal benefits as the approval was given in September 20, 2017 at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The former workers of the liquidated airline were treated to a shock yesterday when the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun revealed that there has been no presidential approval for payment of their terminal benefits as has been touted around in the media.
Adeosun took to her twitter handle stating that the payment has to be appropriated but stated that the debts have been reconciled, agreed on at N45billion following verification.
Her tweet read,” There has been a misconception in the media that the president had approved the payment of N45billion terminal benefits to the ex-workers of Nigeria Airways. I should make it clear that there is no presidential approval and no appropriation yet for the payment.”
“the terminal benefits of ex-Nigeria Airways workers are also part of the outstanding inherited debts. These benefits have been reconciled and agreed at N45billion, following verification. But we don’t have presidential approval yet for the payment. It also has to be appropriated,” the tweet ended.
However, nigerianflightdeck.com obtained a letter from the Office of the Honorable Minister of Finance addressed to the Minister of State, Aviation titled SETTLEMENT OD THE TERMINAL BENEFITS OF EX-WORKERS OF NIGERIA AIRWAYS (IN LIQUIDATION) APPEAL FOR MR. PRESIDENT’S INTERVENTION referenced: OHMF/PICA/FMT/28/VOL.1/94 where the minister stated that approval has been given based on certain recommendations and that the Minister of State Aviation would be notified when payment is complete.
The letter signed by Adeosun in part read:”I refer to your letter with RefNo TCA0036/S.I/T6/199 dated 31st August, 2017 and to inform you that we have received approval contained in the letter Ref. No. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMF/956 dated 15th May, 2017(copy attached) conveying the approval by the Acting President in the sum of N45,365, 664, 332.55(Forty-five Billion, Three Hundred and sixty-five Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-four thousand, Three hundred and Thirty-two Naira, Fifty-five kobo) for the settlement of the benefits of 5909 (Five thousand nine hundred and nine) verified ex-workers/pensioners of Nigeria Airways Limited (In Liquidation)”
The letter of approval also revealed the physical verification of beneficiaries would be carried out by the presidential Initiative and that payment of outstanding claim has been factored into Promissory Note Program (PNP) of the Federal Government.
An Ex-Airways worker who spoke wondered why the Minister would deny the approval on twitter knowing that she has her appendage in the letter and wondered what was going on.
Attached with the story are all the letters:
