NUATE Wants Presidential Candidate With Aviation Blueprint

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) says it is expedient for Aviation workers to mobilise politically in support of the presidential candidate that has a blueprint for programmes that will accelerate the development of the industry.
Rising from a two-day meeting held at its secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos, the union through the convener of the congress of Aviation Union and Professional Associations (CAUPA), Sheri Kyari stressed the need to bring back the glory and glamour of the aviation world in Nigeria.
Kyari, who spoke against the background of the declining fortunes of the aviation industry, affirmed the need to fast track the growth and development of the aviation industry to meet up with the developed aviation nations.
It is in pursuit of this that the CAUPA was established, Kyari explained and lamented the poor and decayed infrastructure in the aviation industry.
“As a body of federal professionals associations in the industry, we are calling on the government and any party desiring to occupy Aso Villa to announce its intentions towards resolving the problems bedeviling the aviation industry”, he said.
Kyari pointed out that these problems have led to loss of jobs, lowered safety standards and encouraged sharp practices, arguing that the proliferation of airports without professional consideration must not be allowed to continue unchecked.
He stated: “Navigational aides, aeronautic communication facilities, aircraft maintenance training expatriate quota employment and retrogressive government policies are some of the issues that we are not comfortable with and wish that they be given adequate attention.
According to him, a situation where non-aviators are continually appointed to oversee the aviation sector is no longer acceptable and urged the government to seek and appoint qualified aviators to man and formulate policies that would move the industry forward in this 21st century.
We would no longer accept the politicisation of professional portfolio in aviation, Kyari declared, adding “We are a body of professionals and union in the aviation industry that seeks the growth and development of the industry to meet up with developed nations, providing employment and reducing considerably capital flight occasioned by many policy somersaults”.

Shedie Okpara