News
Senate raises alarm in opening Aviation sector now
The Senate Thursday declared that it would be suicidal for the federal government of Nigeria to unlock the Aviation Sector this Sunday as earlier planned.
The upper legislative chamber committee on Aviation raised the alarm after an emergency meeting with leaders of unions in the sector led by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers .
Call for suspension of unlocking of the sector this coming Sunday, was also canvassed by the union leaders in the sector on the need for required bailouts to be given first before re-starting it, failure of which will lead to strike action.
The Federal government had penultimate week, fixed Sunday , June 21, 2020 as date for commencement of domestic flights in five major Airports across the country after about 75 days of lockdown in curtailing the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.
But the Senate Committee on Aviation after being briefed by Unionists in the sector on the inherent danger in the plan , called on the federal government to suspend it for now.
Specifically, the Chairman of the Committee , Senator Smart Adeyemi ( APC Kogi West), said based on serious issues raised by stakeholders in the sector as regards safety and security, plan of unlocking it should be postponed .
“As submitted by the key players in the Sector, many of the Pilots have lost currency and needed to be re- certified , Certificates of Airworthiness of most of the Aircrafts have expired , most of the workers are owed salaries or on half salary since the lockdown began in March .
“These are serious issues directly connecting to safety and security aside required intervention that must be made by government in form of bailouts for the operators .
“Added to this , is the strike action being threatened by the Aviation workers and since it better to have strike actions in the sector by aggrieved workers than a crash , there is need for government to tarry a bit on the plan unlocking of the sector this Sunday”, he said. .
Former Minister of Aviation , Senator Stella Oduah ( PDP Anambra North) concurred with Adeyemi and the Aviation stakeholders on the need to suspend unlocking of the sector for now.
Leaders of various unions in the Sector like Comrade Galadima Abednego , the National President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Comrade Ilitrus Ahmadu , National President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and Comrade Nnamdi Hector , the General Secretary of Joint Aviation Trade Union Forum , had in their submissions , painted gloomy picture of the sector and imminent danger of restarting it this Sunday.
Comrade Abednego in his submission told the Committee members that many of the Pilots have lost their currency as a result of the lockdown spanning about 75 days now .
According to him, each of the Pilots requires $30,000 for re-currency or re-certification in the face of none payment of salaries .
“Most of the Airlines have either disengaged their pilots during the lockdown or not able to pay them full salaries , treating us as modern day slaves
“Therefore , before restarting the sector , Pilots and Aircrafts must be re- certified for safety and security , which have not been done .
“Aside that , many of the Airlines need urgent financial intervention to remain afloat , the very reason , government needs to give out bailouts to the operators “, he said .
Painting a more gloomy picture in his own submission , Comrade Ilitrus Ahmadu of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria , said restarting the sector now would be recipe for disaster as many of the workers are hungry and angry due to none payment of salaries .
He said: “Even federal government owned agencies in the sector like Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) , is involved in the none salary payment to workers.
“Those that are paying since the lockdown, are either paying half or quarter salary to their workers .
“There is also need for government to subsidise Aviation fuel and even the Airports need to be properly prepared in terms of of fumigation as well as required protocol for health and safety”.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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