September 12, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has appealed to aviation unions to shelve the planned protest scheduled for September 18 and create room for dialogue.
THEWILL reports that aviation workers’ unions have planned to protest the Federal Government’s deduction of 50% of all internally generated revenue of aviation agencies at source.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, expressed the commitment of the Ministry to ensuring that the issues raised by the union are given consideration.
Giving his commitment and that of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the aviation sector continues to operate efficiently and safely, Keyamo has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the unions on September 17, 2024.
The meeting, he said, will provide a platform to openly discuss “issues at hand and allow His Excellency, Mr. President, sufficient time to intervene and address the unions’ concerns comprehensively”.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb(UK), has been drawn to the notice of a planned protest by the Aviation workers’ unions scheduled for the 18th of September, 2024.
“While he acknowledges the concerns raised by the unions within the aviation sector regarding the deduction of 50% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at source by the Government, he wants to assure all stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is looking into the concerns raised.
“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.
“This meeting will provide a platform to openly discuss the issues at hand and allow His Excellency, Mr. President, sufficient time to intervene and address the unions’ concerns comprehensively.
“In light of this, we appeal to the unions to reconsider their planned peaceful protest on September 18, 2024, and allow for dialogue to take place.
“We believe that through constructive engagement, a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the aviation sector.
“We thank the unions for their patience and understanding and assure them that their voices are being heard and their concerns are being addressed.”
