Planned Protest: Federal Gov’t Seeks Dialogue With Aviation Unions

Ahead of the planned protest by Aviation unions on September 18, over deductions of 50 per cent of internally generated revenue (IGR) of aviation agencies by the Federal Government, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, has pleaded for dialogue in order to resolve the issues.

In a statement by the minister on Thursday, he said everything was being done to address the concerns raised by the unions.

According to Keyamo, “While we acknowledge the concerns raised by the unions within the aviation sector regarding the deduction of 50 per cent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at source by the government, I want to assure all stakeholders that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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, we 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 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.”