The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has responded to threat by union leaders in the sector to embark on protest.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday signed by the minister where he called on stakeholders to a meeting on September 17.
“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’ union scheduled for the 18th of September, 2024,” the statement reads.
“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.”