Ag. DGCA Pledges Commitment to Air Safety, Training and Union Harmony Amidst Resumption Challenges

The Acting Director of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Njomo, has affirmed a commitment to prioritize training and retraining for the maintenance of Nigeria’s air safety standards. 

Emphasizing the agency’s core policy, he stressed the importance of ensuring staff competency through continuous education.

During the resumption of work in Lagos after the festive period, the Acting DGCA, represented by the Director Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, Captain Donald Spiff, issued a stern warning that disciplinary measures would be taken against any staff failing to attend paid training as a deterrent.

He promised to look holistically into the issue of promotion with a view to ensure the creation of openings especially on grade levels 5-17.

”Understandably, there have been murmurs with respect to the issue of Promotions. Staff have expressed concerns about the paucity of vacancies/openings on grade level: 15 17 There have been stagnation on these grade levels for lengthy periods with no end or hope in sight.”.

Addressing union matters, Captain Njomo expressed a desire for a harmonious working relationship in the new year, promising collaboration to address contentious issues and prevent industrial disharmony.

”I wish to again reiterate my commitment and promise to always listen and heed to the wise input of the unions, please accept this as my hand of fellowship to ensure a peaceful, harmonious relationship”.

Representatives from the four unions in the NCAA highlighted concerns about the reviewed and enduring Conditions of Service (CoS) and urged the swift appointment of Board of Directors for the Aviation Agencies and stoppage of 40% remittance into Single Treasury Account, TSA.

Comrades Drisu Musa, Chairman, National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE and Remi Aderinkomi, Chairman, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, in the NCAA also voiced dissatisfaction with the management of staff in Health Management Organizations under the National Health Insurance Scheme, calling for a review.

Emphasizing that, the NCAA is not a revenue generating agency but cost recovery, the unions’ other broader concerns encompassed issues such as rent arrears, transport, and training allowances.

”The local transport being charged on our local training is very, very unrealistic, they should remove the NCAA in the interest of safety and security of flight operations from the Single Treasury Account, TSA. The labour union is a negotiating platform”.

At the joint prayers assembly, the prayers were targeted at achieving a year free of accidents, sustaining its mission and vision, fostering unity in the country, comfort for those who lost their loved ones in the last year and empower the new management amongst others.