Aviation
Ex-Nigeria Airways staff appeal to FG over unpaid N70bn pension arrears
LAGOS — Retired workers of defunct national carrier, Nigerian Airways, yesterday, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to use his good offices to pay them outstanding N70 billion pension arrears.
The retirees made the appeal during a meeting at the secretariat of the Airport Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSAN, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.
The pensioners’ leader, Mr Ibraheem Hussein, said many of their colleagues had died, some hospitalised and others too weak and frail because of their struggle for payment of their pensions.
He noted that since the liquidation of NAL on May 21, 2003, the Federal Government had only paid the retirees five years pension arrears out of 25 years pension arrears.
He urged the government to pay the retired workers the outstanding pension arrears.
According to him, the government owed the pensioners N70 billion as at January, saying, “We made several attempts in the past to seek audience with President Goodluck Jonathan; we wrote two correspondences through the aviation workers’ unions and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.”
He claimed there were 5,700 NAL pensioners and workers at the time of its liquidation, but regretted that many of them had died.
Hussein noted that NAL was rated Number four in the aviation world and had the best pilots and engineers.
Another NAL retiree, Mr. Andrew Inalegwu, said the treatment being meted out to the pensioners was improper.
“NAL pensioners were not responsible for the airline’s liquidation,” he said.
He claimed that NAL employees who served in New York, Rome, London and other West African countries had been paid 25 years pension arrears.
“Why is it that those who worked in Nigeria were paid five years pension arrears?”
Mrs. Josephine Iwasomi, a retired communicator in NAL, said she had not been paid gratuity.
“I don’t have money to feed or sponsor my children’s university education; I had to borrow,” she said.
She said that many of the retirees had become beggars and lost their dignity.
Mrs. Nike Abioje asked, “How long will this continue?”
Alhaji Yisa Sunmonu, Alhaji Ibraheem Mohammed and Mr Ojewumi Yisa, also appealed to the Federal Government to pay the arrears of pension to reduce death among the retired workers.
– VANGUARD
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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