…Says Corporation Lacks Technical Expertise To Manage Airlines
…Warns Foreign Carriers Over forcefully Retiring Nigerians
…Urges FG To Appoint Governing Boards For NCAA, NAMA, Others
…It Is Misleading, Mischievous For Anybody To Claim AMCON Is Running Aero–PR Agency
As workers all over the country, celebrates this year’s , May Day, one of the leading aviation unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE) has accused the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria ( AMCON) of blatantly refusing to provide funding for Aero contractors,the oldest airline in the country.
Recall that Aero as it is popularly called is under receivership of the Corporation.
This is just as the union also accused AMCON of requesting Aero to remit saved funds into its account instead of reinvesting the money in expanding and turning around the company.
But in a Swift response, SY&T Communications Limited, the Public Relations Agency of Aero Contractors, said that the allegations are not only misleading but also mischievous for anybody to say that AMCON is running Aero.
NUATE’s accusations are contained in a speech read by the National President of NUATE, Ben Konye Nnabue during its May Day Celebration at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
Nnabue said that the essence of making these accusations is to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to call AMCON to order.
NUATE also alleged that AMCON has also refused to fund the airline’s operations, thereby hampering operational stability and growth.
NUATE requested that AMCON should divest its shares in Aero Contractors through the stock market to allow for professional and market-driven management.
AMCON, the union said lacks technical expertise in aviation to manage Aero as can be seen in the case of Arik Air whose condition according to the union has deteriorated, adding that despite this gap, AMCON continues to interfere in the day-to-day running of the company with inexperienced personnel.
This, NUATE pointed out has caused significant setbacks in a time-sensitive industry.
NUATE condemned the re-deployment of Arik Air personnel under whose management Arik Air’s condition deteriorated to Aero.
Aero Contractors, NUATE, said has grown organically from one aircraft to a fleet of nearly six aircraft through prudent management.
In view of these happenings at Aero, NUATE requested that the appropriate authorities grant Aero Contractors company waivers and relief on tax liabilities to support its recovery and growth.
Reacting to the allegations, SY&T Communications Limited, the Public Relations Agency of Aero Contractors, said, “The fact is that Aero is in Receivership, and all over the world, a healthy company does not go into Receivership.
” Capt. Ado Sanusi, a thorough-bred professional is Managing the airline as MD of Aero and he has been doing a fantastic job of his assignment of running the airline.
“So, it is misleading for anybody to claim that AMCON is running Aero. That is pure mischief,”
Continuing, the PR agency said, “AMCON can second their staff to any entity where the Corporation has interest be it in Aero, Arik or any other firm.
“Capt. Ado Sanusi if you recall was equally a former staff of Arik Air and he has been doing a fantastic job in Aero Contractors.
“None of the people that are spreading this falsehood can fault his professional competence at Aero.”
On the discriminating retirement age by foreign airlines, NUATE alleged that s of these carriers are forcefully retiring Nigerian staff at age 55, contrary to the Public Service Rules, which prescribe 60 years or 35 years of service.
This, the union, said is unacceptable.
“We have directed our members to resist such letters. We warn all airlines: respect Nigerian law or reconsider your operations in our airspace,” NUATE said.
On concessions and workers’ rights, the union said that it noted
the conclusion of the concession process for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
It stated that while NUATE is not opposed to concessions in principle, it will however reject any model that makes workers sacrificial lambs.
The union advised that the signed agreement must guarantee job security, transfer of service, and full protection of existing rights.
These provisions, NUATE pointed out must be implemented to the letter.
The union urged the relevant authorities to learn lessons from MMA2, as that concession remains a cautionary tale as the
public continues to decry excessive charges imposed by the concessionaire.
According to NUATE, “Concessions must serve the public and protect workers, not entrench monopoly and exploitation.”
Speaking on the absence of governing boards for the aviation industry, the union specifically commend the President for constituting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) Board but it however, noted that since 2023, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NiMet), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology(NCAT) have operated without statutory governing boards.
This, it said created a governance vacuum, weakens oversight, and exposes workers to unilateral policies.
According to NUATE, “Governing boards are a legal requirement, not a favour. Honourable Minister, we demand the immediate constitution of all outstanding boards with statutory labour representation.”
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