After almost 22 years of waiting, the federal government finally approved the pensions for retired aviation workers.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) stated in a statement released on Tuesday via its official X account that the ministry of aviation has confirmed that soon-to-be-admitted payments will begin, with a pledge to maintain transparency and fairness throughout the process.
Former airline employees were also taken into account when the payment approval was made.
Due to mismanagement, corruption, and mounting debts, Nigeria Airways was in business from 1958 until it stopped operating in 2003. The Federal Government held the entire interest in it.
More than 6, 000 former employees were left without receiving full pensions and gratuities after its closure, which sparked nearly two decades of legal requests.
Following years of tireless lobbying by unions demanding justice for retired workers, particularly those working for disbanded national carriers, the decision was made.
READ ALSO: Equinor Recovers $1 billion in Damage from US Wind Farm Regulations and Tariffs
The long-awaited pensions for retired aviation workers have been approved by the federal government, providing long-overdue relief to thousands of those who worked in the sector. Following years of lobbying by unions, this decision was made in favor of retired workers, particularly those working for the disbanded national carriers.
The Ministry of Aviation stated in part that it would be happy to process the payments and that it would follow a “commitment to transparency.”
Additionally, the development was mentioned as being welcomed by all parties. Many people believe it to be a long-overdue step toward restoring trust and dignity to the aviation industry.
Due to the government’s failure to release the N45 billion in entitlements owed to retirees, aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), threatened to shut down Nigerian airspace in 2018.
The unions criticized the delayed payments and warned Hadi Sirika, the then-ministrep of aviation, that they would not sit back and watch retirees continue to die without receiving their benefits.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari approved 22 billion for partial payment that year. However, union records indicate that many retirees were left in financial peril as N36 billion remained unpaid. Some people passed away while their pensions were in attente.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply