…Says Policy Threat To Aviation Safety, Efficiency
…Places Controllers On Notice For Sept.18 Nationwide Protest
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), a body representing the collective interests of all Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in Nigeria, has called on. the Federal Government to immediately exempt aviation agencies from the ongoing 50 per deduction from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
A statement signed by the association and made available to Ontimnewsng.com stated that the policy is severely undermining the safety and efficiency of Nigeria aviation sector.
“We want to place it on record that the safety-critical activities of the entire aviation sector are slowly grinding to a halt, reaching levels that are unacceptable. 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 NATCA statement reads in.part.
The association stated that considering these developments, NATCA’s Council, by this statement has placed all ATCs on notice that its mother union has directed a nationwide protest Effective from “0000 hours on the 18th of September 2024”,directing all ATCs to comply with the instructions from its mother union until further notice.
The statement informed that further instructions will be communicated in due course through the Secretariat.
” We call on the Federal Government to act swiftly to exempt aviation agencies from the IGR deduction policy and address the financial challenges threatening the safety and functionality of Nigeria’s airspace,” the statement added.
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