Aviation
Aviation workers threaten fresh strike
LAGOS: Barely a week after the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) workers shut down the airspace over labour-related issues, their colleagues at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have given a 21-day ultimatum to the Authority to meet their demands or they down tools.
Meanwhile, to ensure transparent procurement process in line with the Public Procurement Act (PPA) of 2007, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that any organisation that does not send in its Expression of Interest would not be evaluated.
The workers through their union, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) yesterday gave the FAAN’s management a 21-day deadline to address all welfare issues, failure of which will lead to a strike.
In a petition to the Managing Director of FAAN, George Ureisi with copies sent to Ministers of Labour and Productivity and Aviation signed by Mr. Olayinka Abioye secretary of ATSSSAN, alleged that the FAAN management had failed to meet up its obligations in the issue of workers’ welfare.
However, FAAN’s spokesman, Yakubu Dati said: “We are working to resolve the problem. FAAN is a responsible organisation and we want to assure you that the matter will be resolved. We are partners in progress. Both FAAN and ATSSSAN will meet to reach an amicable resolution of this matter”.
According to the petition dated May 22, 2013, the group stated that they “could no longer fold their arms and allow the perpetuation of anti-worker policies, fragrant de motivation and violations of the staff rights and privileges to maximum benefits in their career growth, through promotions, recognition of exemplary conduct and performance with cognate experience”.
The union asked the FAAN management to place on the front burner and proffer solutions to the issue of outstanding promotions of some personnel since 2010 who till date have not received letters of promotion.
They also condemned what they called most retrogressive compensation system whereby newly recruited workers were placed in managerial positions without the required skills, competences and experiences in public service which they said breached and truncated extant rules of public service and FAAN conditions of service.
Describing it as administrative fraud, ATSSSAN urged the management to urgently review such exercise with a view to re-designing the proper staff placement of all newly recruited, employed and redeployed persons into FAAN in accordance with its conditions of service.
The union also demanded the payment of outstanding workers’ 27 per cent since April 2012 in the next 21 days.
The Coordinator of the bid process, Mr. Barnabas Ugochukwu stated this at the weekend while supervising the opening of Expression of Interest for the Procurement of Operational Vehicles through Lease Financing at the NCAA headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
Ugochukwu stated that the opening of the Expression of Interest was in accordance with the PPA, adding the opening would not only follow strictly the PPA of 2007 but that it would be done transparently.
He disclosed that the PPA allows for bids to be opened whether the organisations that expressed their interest were present at the opening or not.
The bid to procure operations vehicles for the NCAA was expressed by seven organisations which include Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Unity Bank, Union Bank, UBA, FCMB and Stanbic IBTC.
An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.
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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).
She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.
Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.
He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”
The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.
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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.
The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.
Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.
“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.
To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.
Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.
“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.
As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.
The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.
Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.
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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.
“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.
Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.
“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.
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