Business
Aero Demands Sacked Workers’ CVs
The management of Aero Contractors Airline has directed its recently dismissed 1,000 staff members to submit their curriculum vitae for assessment and possible re-absorption.
This is contained in a letter signed by the Airline’s Managing Director, Mr Obaro Ibru, to the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) in Ikeja.
The letter stated that the re-assessment became necessary as part of the resolutions reached at a meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Aviation on March 28 in Abuja.
The letter was also copied to the Chairman, Senate Committee, Minister of Aviation, State Controller, Ministry of Labour and the Managing Director of the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).
The letter with reference number FA/MA/HRD/L.0046/13 and dated April 2, was titled “‘Resolution of the Senate Committee on Aviation: Ongoing Reorganisation Exercise of Aero Contractors’’.
It ordered the affected workers to return their dismissal letters by Tuesday, adding that the salaries of the workers would be paid at the appropriate time.
“All the affected staff members have been formally communicated with and also notified that they are to undergo an assessment for a suitable role within the company as applicable.
“The balance of their March 2013 salary payable to them will be credited to their salary accounts, respectively.
“While the assessment is ongoing, the full salaries and benefits applicable to them for the position they occupied prior to the commencement of the reorganisation process have been reinstated and will be paid.
‘All individual staff have also been advised to ensure they submit their detailed CVs with correct home addresses and telephone numbers to cv.hour@can.aero on or before close of work on April 2.’’
It will be recalled that the airline commenced skeletal services on March 29 with flights to Port Harcourt, Uyo and Abuja pending the resolution of the strike by the workers.
The Acting Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Joyce Nkemakolam, had said that the airline was granted permission to recommence skeletal flights to Uyo, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
He said the agency would only give Aero the full status when it completed its auditing process with the agency.
“They have not met all the conditions but they had recommenced skeletal service.
“We have given the airline the permission to commence skeletal service till they have full staff strength.
“We gave them permission to fly to Uyo, Port Harcourt and Abuja only,’’ Nkemakolam said.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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