Business
Aviation Unions Shut Down Arik Operations
Labour unions in the aviation sector yesterday shut down Arik Air operations, vowing to continue the action until the airline agreed to implement the agreement reached by the two parties in December.
The unions involved in the action are: National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had, on Feb. 9, taken over the airline.
The takeover was as a result of the airline’s huge indebtedness to the company and other creditors, both local and foreign.
AMCON had, thereafter, appointed Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, as manager of the airline, under the receivership of Mr Oluseye Opasanya,(SAN).
NUATE’s General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that all the airline’s operations in the country would remain disrupted as long as it takes, for Arik’s several breaches.
“You will recall that late last year, there was an industrial action against Arik, and the Federal Government intervened through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Certain agreements were extracted from the NCAA meeting, and we were hoping that the management of Arik would be responsible enough to implement those agreements.
“But unfortunately, as we speak, none of the agreements has been implemented.
“One of the agreements is the payment of staff salaries; but as we speak, Arik is indebted to their workers more than seven months salaries.
“The airline is also indebted in several taxes for several months, and pension contributions for years..
“To worsen it, our agencies such as NAMA, NCAA, NIMET, FAAN and other service providers, are being owed huge sums of money.
“This is also impacting negatively on the capability of those agencies, and which in turn affect the staff welfare in those places who we represent as unions,” he said.
Abioye said these were issues that had brought the unions to the door of the airline.
According to him, Arik cannot be under a receivership and refuse to dialogue with the people the former management is indebted to.
He said the unions had taken over the airline’s operations and would do so until it was ready to pay its debt.
Abioye said the airline would not have access to the local and international terminals and the ticket counters at the airports.
“We all know that FAAN operates the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) where Arik operates from, and we have just taken over the place.
“We are going to continue with this picketing as long as the airline, under this present management, is ready to implement our agreement.
“This morning, the unions have addressed intending passengers that came to the airport to catch up their flight, and they have understanding with us.
“We have apologised to the concerned passengers for the inconvenience the airline has put them through.
“We are hoping that they will also be magnanimous to look for other airlines to fly,” he said.
Similarly, ATSSSAN’s General Secretary, Mr Micheal Agamah, urged AMCON to replace the current receivership manager before any meaningful dialogue with the airline’s management could take place.
“With his intolerance to unionism which he has displayed so far, if we allow him to still stay in office, who will implement the resolution of the dialogue we had with the previous management?
“Apart from fighting for the interest of the workers, we are ready to protect the right of workers, which the Constitution, under Section 40, guarantees — freedom of association,” he said.
Reacting to the development, Arik Air, in a statement signed by its media consultant, Mr Simon Tumba, said the picketing was illegal because its motive was unclear to the management.
“It is a well-known fact that Arik is under Receivership, following various challenges experienced over the last few years.
“These include delays and cancellations of flights, delays in payment of salaries and huge debts to trade creditors and suppliers, bad corporate governance and a host of others.’’
He said that since AMCON took over the airline, salaries were being paid, including backlogs and on time performance had improved from 15 per cent to average of 80 per cent.
Tumba said fuel suppliers that had hitherto quit doing business with Arik were happily doing business with the airline.
“For the record, the management had engaged with its staff, and is convinced that there is no reason to picket our airline, which is facing challenging times.
“The focus of the Arik Air management is to stabilise the operations of the airline and enhance its ability to play a positive role in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“Therefore, the management of the airline advises the unions to steer clear from undermining the operations of Arik Air.
“Management would take every legal measure at its disposal, to stop any illegal interference with its operations,” he said.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has constituted a technical committee to work with the Angolan Embassy on deepening aviation ties with Nigeria.
Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister, Mr. Tunde Moshood, in a statement, said the committee would oversee logistics and help solidify plans for the Minister’s visit and potential areas of collaboration.
This development is coming after Keyamo received the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, Jose Bamoquina Zau, and his Deputy, Nelson Paulo Kafikiri, in Abuja.
The statement revealed that the Angola’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Ricardo Viegas de Abreu, was keen to build a synergy between both nations and was eager to tap into the wealth of experience of Nigeria’s aviation leadership.
According to the statement, “The visit is aimed at strengthening aviation ties between Nigeria and Angola, particularly as Angola embarks on a new era for its aviation industry.
“The Angolan delegation brought positive updates on the progress of Angola’s aviation sector, specifically highlighting the recent overhaul of its airport infrastructure.
Ambassador Zau informed Keyamo that the new airport, set to serve as a strategic hub for the region, will be officially inaugurated in one month’s time.
In delivering a message from the Angolan Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, the Ambassador conveyed the Minister’s warm greetings and underscored Angola’s eagerness to foster collaboration with Nigeria.
He expressed interest in exploring a bilateral air services agreement and other mutually beneficial opportunities within the aviation sector.
Ambassador Zau also extended an official invitation from Minister Ricardo de Abreu for Keyamo to attend the grand opening of Angola’s new airport next month.
He emphasised that both nations stand to gain from deeper cooperation, particularly in aviation business and infrastructure development.
In response, the aviation Minister expressed appreciation for the visit and congratulated the Angolan government on its impressive strides in aviation infrastructure.
He affirmed his commitment to attend the upcoming event and signalled Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with Angola to enhance air connectivity and explore new business opportunities.
“To ensure seamless coordination ahead of the event, the Aviation Minister has constituted a technical committee to work with the Angolan Embassy’s team.
“The committee will oversee logistics and help solidify plans for the Minister’s visit and potential areas of collaboration.
“The meeting underscores the continued commitment of both nations to expand their aviation sectors and work towards a prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship”, Moshood stated.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has called for deeper private sector participation in the blue economy initiative to harness greater benefits from it, for national development.
The Authority also commenced moves to improve security across the nation’s Waterways, in a bid to attract private investment into the Blue economy.
Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, who disclosed this to newsmen during the tour of Wari and Onithsa area offices, said NIWA is determined to revamp the nation’s economy by consolidating on Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) initiatives.
“This initiative is part of our deliberate plans to open up new opportunities to maximise full economic potentials of the nation’s waterways.
“The PPP is the way to go but we need people or investors, who have genuine intentions and purposes to enable us align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic recovery”, he said.
The agency’s boss tasked the staff to live up to expectation by working harder in revenue generation that could open rooms to better their welfare.
He warned the staff against indolence and laxity since he was committed to staff welfare and revenue generation
According to him, there is need for the staff to be disciplined and committed by rededicating themselves to the growth and development of the Authority.
The Qatar Airlines, in its efforts to further ease financial burden of air passengers, has extended its discount partnership deal with Access Bank till December 2024.
Access Bank customers, who book their flights online using Qatar Airways’ website in this deal, enjoy up to 12 percent discount on both business and economy classses.
The Bank’s customers, using the promo code “ACCESS”, can book flights to any destination in the world and travel.
Qarta Airline, in a statement through the Vice President–Africa, Hendrick du Preez, stated that the partnership reiterates the Airways’ commitment to streamline travel within and across African markets by delivering first-rate services and offerings to passengers.
“As we are in the summer season and passengers tend to want to travel to spend time with loved ones, our priority at Qatar Airways remains broadening opportunities to travel for our passengers in the African market.
“Although Africa stands as the most underserved market, we strongly believe in the power of partnerships like these in transforming travel within the continent.
“We are proud to partner with respected pan-African financial institutions like Access Bank to provide innovative incentives for passengers and customers”, he stated.
This is coming on the heels of Qatar Airways’ recent expansion of routes across the African continent along with increased flight frequencies in various locations.
Also in the release, Access Bank’s Executive Director for Corporate and Investment Banking, Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.
“Our team is delighted to collaborate with Qatar Airways to bring exceptional travel benefits to our valued customers. This offering aligns with our commitment to enhancing the overall experience for those who choose Access Bank and continue to do so every year.
“By providing exclusive discounts on Qatar Airways flights, we aim to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for our customers”, Soji-Okusanya said.
Corlins Walter
-
News4 days agoArmy Asks ICC, AI, Others To Take Action Against IPOB
-
News4 days agoFlood: Nigeria receives 50 tonnes of relief materials from UAE
-
Rivers4 days ago
RSG Ready To Tackle Flooding
-
News4 days agoNIN-SIM linkage: NATCOMS pleads for 2-week extension
-
Rivers4 days ago
NNPC Foundation Raises Concern Over Rising Heart Disease, Deaths
-
News4 days agoRelief In Sight As Trucks Begin Petrol Lifting At Dangote Refinery
-
News4 days agoRescued UNIBEN students stable in hospital – Management
-
City Crime3 days agoEID-EL-MAULUD: SHOW LOVE, TOLERANCE TO OTHERS, FUBARA TELLS MUSLIMS