The Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Ocheme Aba, has raised concerns over what he describes as the lack of a coordinated and strategic master plan guiding the development of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In an interview, Comrade Aba expressed worry that while various agencies within the industry, such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), are making individual efforts in infrastructure development and service delivery, these efforts lack cohesion and direction due to the absence of a national aviation master plan.
He noted that although significant upgrades and expansions are visible across airports, it is difficult to assess whether these developments amount to real progress without a clear roadmap.
“There is no integration because there is no plan. We talk about airport concessions and infrastructure development, but we’re not asking the fundamental question what exactly do we want to achieve?”.
“If we continue like this, we risk scattering resources and efforts without meaningful impact.”
Comrade Aba also referenced the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of N712 million for the construction of aprons, roads, and bridges at airports.
He questioned the logic behind approving such large expenditures when disputes still exist such as the ongoing legal tussle between the operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 without resolving underlying structural and legal issues.
The ANAP’s Deputy scribe called for clarity on Nigeria’s airport development model, urging stakeholders to determine whether the country should concentrate resources on a few major airports or pursue a more evenly distributed upgrade of all airports.
“We must define what we want to achieve before allocating resources,” he added.
Responding to questions about the role of unions in pushing for reforms, Comrade Aba dismissed claims that aviation unions have lost credibility or become too compromised to speak truth to power.
“Our duty is to represent and defend the interests of workers. We are constantly engaging with the relevant authorities and raising these issues, including the need for a sector-wide plan”.
“It is not FAAN’s job to develop a master plan, but they are executing their own mandate to improve infrastructure. What we’re asking for is coordination at the top level.”
He also defended ANAP’s stance on concession matters, saying the union is not against concessions but insists that workers’ rights and entitlements must be protected.
On the ongoing salary disputes at NAMA, Comrade Aba acknowledged that workers are frustrated over the non-implementation of an adjusted minimum wage.
The union leader said that although a seven-day ultimatum has expired, unions are still engaging with management and remain hopeful that the issues will be resolved without resorting to strike action.
“Nobody takes the decision to shut down aviation lightly. If that point comes, it will be because all avenues have been exhausted”.
Speaking on his decision to leave his former union, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Aba clarified that his move to ANAP was driven by belief in the vision and potential of the association.
“There’s a project here that I believe in. It’s not about problems or sabbaticals. I’ve moved on from NUATE, and I’m fully committed to my responsibilities at ANAP.”
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen