Keyamo begins moves to resolve industrial crisis, restore peace in aviation

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyemo, on Friday held an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to address industrial challenges by promoting harmony in the aviation sector.

Mr Keyamo disclosed this in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahmud Kambari, and issued on Friday in Abuja.

He explained that the goal of the meeting was to resolve burning issues affecting the sector with a view to foster greater understanding, cooperation and progress within the Nigerian aviation sector.

According to him, the meeting was a follow-up to the previous engagements with the aviation sector unions and Airline Operators of Nigeria, concerning the temporary suspension of industrial action by the Unions on Tuesday.

He said that after extensive and fruitful deliberations, a number of resolutions were reached.

He said that parts of the resolutions were for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other heads of aviation agencies to obtain a schedule of payments from airlines.

‎He added that the payments were to be spread over a reasonable timeframe, taking into cognisance airlines cost of operation and current economic realities.

‎‎”It was also resolved that the Directors of Finance and Accounts in all aviation agencies are to meet individual airlines to agree on a realistic repayment plan within one week,” he added.

‎Keyamo further recognised the right of workers to decide not to belong to any union and workers to decide for themselves, rather than management.

‎”As a result, the NCAA should immediately ensure that the unions have direct access to the workers of all airlines, only to distribute their forms for the workers to directly indicate whether they intend to join the union or not.

“Any airline that prevents this direct interface will be sanctioned by the NCAA.

“The parties resolved that a meeting shall be reconvened to review the progress and the state of the current situation after one month.

“‎The resolutions are the collective decisions of all parties,” he said.

‎Keyamo, who assured stakeholders of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, peaceful and sustainable aviation industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the recent industrial disharmony in Nigeria’s aviation sector that led to disruptive airport picketing and flight cancellation. ‎

The clash was between aviation labor unions and domestic airline management (led by Air Peace) over unremitted ticket charges, worker welfare, and unionisation rights. (NAN)