The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has stepped in after aviation unions announced a peaceful protest set for next Wednesday. The unions are demanding an end to the 50 percent deduction from the internally generated revenue (IGR) of various agencies within the industry.
The secretaries general of five aviation unions stated that the nationwide protest, which will take place at all airports, is a response to the federal government’s failure to exempt aviation agencies from these deductions. The affected agencies include the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
According to Daily Trust, the push for aviation agencies to be exempted from remitting 50 percent of their earnings to the federal government’s treasury single account (TSA) has been ongoing since the deduction was originally 25 percent. In their letter, the unions emphasized that aviation agencies operate as cost-recovery organizations, not profit-driven entities, and thus cannot function effectively on just half of their revenue. They further noted that critical safety operations are already being hindered by the deductions.
The unions have called for widespread mobilization from state councils, women commissions, youth councils, and branches across the country to ensure the success of the protest. They also hinted at further actions if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, Minister Keyamo has scheduled a meeting with union leaders on September 17, 2024, to discuss the issue and allow President Bola Tinubu time to address their concerns. In a statement, Keyamo acknowledged the strain these deductions have placed on the aviation sector’s ability to meet safety and operational needs, expressing the government’s commitment to finding a solution. He also appealed to the unions to reconsider their planned protest on September 18, 2024, in favor of dialogue.
