In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian aviation workers are gearing up for a massive nationwide protest on August 21, 2024, to vehemently oppose the Federal Government’s contentious policy of deducting 50% from the internally generated revenue of key aviation agencies.
This drastic measure has pushed the already beleaguered industry to the precipice of collapse, prompting workers to take drastic action.
The protest, spearheaded by various unions, will bring together workers from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
These agencies, crucial to the smooth operation of the aviation sector, are struggling to survive due to the crippling revenue deductions.
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The workers, driven by desperation and frustration, have directed all state councils, women’s commissions, youth councils, and branches to mobilize and ensure widespread participation in the protest.
This collective action aims to draw attention to the dire consequences of the government’s policy, which has already compromised critical safety activities within the agencies.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the unions have stressed that the affected agencies are cost-recovery organizations, not profit-making entities, and cannot sustain operations on half of their incomes.
The government’s insistence on maintaining the deductions has left the workers with no choice but to take to the streets, warning that they will not be held responsible if the aviation industry becomes dysfunctional due to financial constraints.
As the protest looms, the aviation industry teeters on the brink of collapse, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy and the millions of people who depend on air travel.
The workers’ united stand against the government’s policy serves as a clarion call for urgent action to address the crisis and prevent a catastrophic collapse of the industry.
