Union Rejects Ministerial Directive

The leadership of Air transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch, has vehemently rejected the ministerial directive over the remittance of five per cent of income generated from the Passenger Service Charges (PSC) to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on monthly basis.
In a statement issued last Wednesday by its Chairman, Comrade Danjuma Ahmed, the association said that the directive by the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika was unpopular among the union members, adding that  such step is detrimental to the smooth operations and performance of FAAN. Ahmed pointed out that for the Minister’s directive to be effective and implementable, the extant law setting up FAAN needed to be re-examined for appropriate amendment.
The union leader explained that FAAN was established by an Act of parliament and not through ministerial directive and the National Assembly approves its expenditures through its submitted budget and therefore it is only the National Assembly that can warrant any removal of such revenue to any sister agency of FAAN.
He said that the PSC is the tariff FAAN charges passengers to pay for services it offers to them in respect to terminal building, screening equipment, conveniences for travelers or passengers and any other services desirable at the rate of 1,000 only.
The union boss said  FAAN cannot presently remit any revenue to any agency as directed by the Minister  as from all available records FAAN already remits 20 per cent of its internally general revenue (IGR) of which the PSC is part directly to the federation account.
The union boss advised the Minister to rescind such retrogressive decision in the interest of harmonious industrial peace in the aviation sector. He pointed out that the IGR of FAAN is inadequate for the agency to meet its commitment and statutory obligations within the aviation sector and urged the minister to reconsider his decision.
Ahmed pledged the union’s support for the aviation sector’s transformation under the present Federal Government.