Aviation: Union Decries Lack Of Good Corporate Governance In Industry

The Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) says lack of good corporate governance in the nation’s aviation was impeding the growth of the sector.

President of ATSSSAN, Illitrus Ahmadu, made this known while speaking at the 2018 May Day Ceremony organised by the union on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ahmadu said the take over of Arik Air and Aero Contractors by Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) was as a result of the airlines’ management’ failure to effectively run their affairs.

He said 90 percent of the N181 billion bad loans bought over by AMCON were incurred by airlines which clearly indicated that all was not well with the sector.

“This has affected the inflow of investments into the sector. We believe that there is the need for right investments in aviation to curb the high rate of airline mortality in Nigeria.

“We are concerned as labour because, without airlines, there will be no aviation industry, “Ahmadu added.

According to him, some of the workers declared redundant by Aero Contractors in February 2017 were yet to get their severance packages.

He said this was largely due to the reluctance of AMCON to inject funds into the airline’s operations, adding that ATSSSAN and other aviation unions would continue to dialogue with the management to ensure that the workers were paid.

On the issue of the proposed new minimum wage, Ahmadu said the N66,500 agreed by labour was very apt considering the economic situation of Nigeria.

“There is a ray of hope with the increase of the price of crude at the international market to over $72 per barrel. So our demand is not out of place, ” he said.

The ATSSSAN president also reiterated the union’s opposition to the planned concession of the four major airports in the country by the Federal Government.

He said: “We strongly believe that there are various alternatives to the concession of airports and our position is anchored on experiences in other parts of the world.

“What we are proposing is that government should divest from full ownership of airports. This will give confidence to foreign investors.

“Our airports should transform from airport authorities to airport companies like Ghana and South Africa. So why can’t we try this because as labour, we don’t want our members to lose their jobs.”