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NATIONAL Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has given the Minister of Finance, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Salaries and Wages Commission and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) a 21 day ultimatum to conclude and approve the release of the Conditions of Service or risk a withdrawal of service.
The pilot and engineer body said this move has become pertinent as the documents have remained unapproved since 2019, two years ago despite the Minister of aviation’s move to resolve the challenge.
NAAPE intends to withdraw services at a time when the country through the NCAA has commenced pre- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Audit in preparation for the main event which comes up next year.
A statement read by NAAPE President, Galadima Abednego stated: ” Recall that in 2019, the aviation unions went on strike in the NCAA over conditions of service (COS). The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika despite hos tight schedule accompanied the union leaders to Salaries and Wages Commission to canvass for speedy approval and release of the document.
“In spite of all that, as we speak, over two years after, the document is yet to be approved nor released. This insensitivity to the plight of workers have led to the resignation of thirty (30) qualified and seasoned Aviation safety inspectors from the regulatory agency who have sought employment with airlines and other international organizations. READ MORE on NCAA lacks safety inspectors
‘ Poor remuneration and working condition of the inspectors poses serious threats to safety, as there are a dearth of qualified inspectors to carry out safety oversight on operators, and the few remaining inspectors who are over-worked are clearly demotivated would mostly fail to satisfactorily perform their job function. READ MORE on NCAA seeks solutions to tackle safety inspectors dearth
” NAAPE therefore calls the Minister of Finance, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Salaries and Wages Commission, the management of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)and all concerned stakeholders to conclude, approve and release the documents within three weeks failing which our members’ services will be withdrawn and will be instructed not to participate in any pre-ICAO audit activities,” Abednego said.
