LAGOS – The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), umbrella body of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) in the country, has directed its members to comply with the planned nationwide protest called by aviation unions.
The unions had earlier in the week, through a circular, directed their members to embark on a protest throughout the nation’s airports on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, following the continuous deductions of 50 per cent of aviation agencies’ Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) by the Federal Government.
The government had compelled the agencies to contribute 50 per cent of their IGRs into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Four aviation agencies are affected by the TSA policy. They are; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
A statement on Saturday morning by Mr. Abayomi Agoro, President, NATCA, said that considering these developments, NATCA’s Council had placed all ATCs on notice to join the protest effective from “00:00 hours on September 18, 2024.
Agoro directed all controllers to comply with the instructions from its mother union until further notice.
Agoro lamented that the affected agencies are financially constrained due to the deductions, thereby rendering the sector dysfunctional.
He insisted that the policy was severely undermining the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation sector since it started about three years ago and the contributions increased to 50 per cent in January this year.
The statement warned that the safety-critical activities of the entire aviation sector were slowly grinding to a halt, reaching levels that are unacceptable.
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Agoro appealed to the Federal Government to act swiftly by exempting aviation agencies from the IGR deduction policy and address the financial challenges threatening the safety and functionality of Nigeria’s airspace.
The statement said: “The agencies within the sector are financially constrained, rendering the sector dysfunctional. This alarming situation, if left unaddressed, poses significant risks to the safety and operational effectiveness of Nigerian airspace.
“It should also be on record that NATCA will not assume responsibility should a strain on the sector’s safety and operational needs result in any critical incident or accident. The continued financial constraints imposed by these deductions are compromising our ability to deliver safe, efficient air traffic control services.
The unions; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), had directed all its members to embark on a planned strike in a bid to force the government to remove the agencies from the TSA.
But, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation an Aerispace Development, in a swift reaction, called for a meeting with the unions.
The meeting is slated for Tuesday next week.
He also acknowledged the concerns raised by the unions, but assure all stakeholders that Tinubu was looking into the concerns raised.
He added: “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.
“In response to the concerns, the Ministry has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the unions on September 17, 2024.”
