Aviation workers tackle Sirika over ‘failed promises‘

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) at the weekend accused the Minister of Aviation,  Hadi Sirika, of running affairs in the aviation industry like a one-man-show.

The association described such an approach as unhealthy and dangerous for the industry.

NUATE at the weekend pointed out  how the minister failed to deliver projects such as the suspended national carrier,  aircraft leasing company and national aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.

Its National President, Comrade Ben Nnabue,  used the May Day celebrations to  address the union’s frustration over the unjust treatment meted to aviation workers by the Salaries and Wages Commission and the Head of Service.

Nnabue said: “We have persistently pointed out the folly of a one-man-show in the governance of the sector. As we all know, there are no governing boards for all the agencies in aviation, and the CEOs being direct employees of the Minister of Aviation, and the minister being the chairman of all the so-called Interim Boards, the affairs of the entire aviation industry has been contrived to be totally in the hands of one man.

“This is extremely dangerous, preposterous and truly objectionable. All our protestations on the subject over the past years have fallen on deaf ears. That stakeholders in the industry have tolerated this circumstance for all of six years is quite honestly incomprehensible.”

On the aviation promises, Nnabue said: “Whereas a state government, Akwa Ibom, has since successfully launched its own airline without any fanfare, which is fast becoming the industry leader, our country has woefully failed in its attempt to birth a national carrier after over 10 years of labour and colossal financial waste. The proposed aircraft leasing company, national aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility and aerotropolis development, all flagship programmes of this federal administration, have all suffered paralysis, despite massive support from stakeholders and informed Nigerians.”