Because aviation workers are classified as providers of essential services, the federal government has vowed never to allow them to strike again.
Recall that workers affiliated with the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria declared a strike on Monday, January 23, 2023, but it was quickly called off.
Speaking to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, gave the government’s position, citing the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, which he said prohibits such action.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Act into law last August, repealing the Civil Aviation Act, No. 6, 2006.
Sirika apologized to Nigerians for the inconvenience caused by the strike, saying that because the action is illegal, the government will deal with it appropriately.
He emphasized that the government is willing to listen to any grievances, but he warned the aviation workers not to engage in illegal action.
“This is very important to the traveling public,” said the Aviation Minister. First and foremost, we apologize to our thronging passengers during this trying time. Second, by God’s grace, this will not happen in the future.
“And the reason is straightforward. Aviation is a necessary service. Mr. President has given his approval to the Act. As a result, strikes and riots near our airports are illegal under the law.
“And now that we have the act in place and assented by Mr. President as passed by the National Assembly, we will deal with it according to the law. We will ensure that no essential service is disrupted by anyone, no matter how angry they are.
“There are other channels of channeling issues when they arise but they are not permitted to go on strike because aviation is an essential service and is by the law of the land now.
“Let me give you an example. An airline had to return to its base because it couldn’t land. What if there was a patient on that plane? Consider someone attending to a very serious issue or matter at hand, or a business or a student trying to catch up on an exam, and then someone else dies because of someone who is displeased.
That will no longer be tolerated by the government. So it’s written in the law. Examine the FAAN Act (Civil Aviation Act). It has been agreed upon and will take place soon.
“In fact, starting today, we will not allow that. Government, our ears are always open, government is open to hearing any grievances, and there are procedures in place to deal with such grievances.
“They should please stop doing this. It is wrong, it is inhumane, it is not permitted, and we will not permit it any longer.”
The federal government issued the warning on the same day that the FEC approved contracts worth N10,081,177,338.31 for the aviation ministry.
Sirika revealed that the contracts are for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Hadejia airstrip, the construction of a control tower and technical building at Enugu Airport, and the procurement of utility vehicles.
“So, today in Council, we got the memoranda,” he explained. It is a single memo with about three items. One of these is the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Hadejia airstrip, which will cost N7,482,071,196.56 over the course of 18 months. This contract will be awarded to MESSRS CCECC.
“There is also the construction of a control tower and a technical building in Enugu. MSSRS Mascot Associates Limited is the company, and the value is N1,973,606,141.75. The third contract, worth N625,500,000, is for the procurement of utility vehicles by MSSRs Kaura Motors. These are the memoranda, which were all approved by Council today. And we thank you, my friends, gentlemen of the press.”
