President Tinubu Urged to Appoint Boards to Aviation Parastatals to Boost Efficiency

The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to constitute the Governing Boards of Aviation parastatals in the country, citing the need for a sense of belonging and professionalism in the industry.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, General Secretary of ANAP, Comrade AbdulRasaq Saidu, emphasized that the absence of governing boards has led to numerous anomalies in the aviation industry. 

He noted that decisions that should have been taken by the boards have instead been taken by the minister, resulting in unprofessional conduct by the ministry officials and politicians.

Comrade Saidu pointed out that the lack of boards has led to the ministry interfering in the day-to-day running of the parastatals, which is not supposed to be the case. 

He explained that the roles of the boards are outlined in the Act that established them, and that it was a deliberate act by the previous government to dissolve them in order to have direct control of the funds.

“ANAP has times without numbers raised this issue. The former President Buhari named some of people into various boards but till Sirika left office, nothing was done to inaugurate the boards. It died like that, now, this administration has continued the same way”

The ANAP scribe also highlighted the negative impact of the absence of governing boards on aviation staff, citing the example of the Conditions of Service (Cos) that were mishandled by the ministry, causing unnecessary delay. 

He emphasized that the Act empowered the governing boards to handle staff CoS and welfare matters, not the ministry.

“So, that is why the board is stopping gap, the Act gave the board the day-to-day running of the parastatals. We want the governing board of directors across the agencies very, very urgently and this one has affected the revision of the conditions of service, approval, promotion across the parastatal, worse still is the NiMET, so appalling, is still in the IPPIS fraudulently”.

The ANAP scribe urged President Tinubu to heed the call and constitute the governing boards of aviation parastatals, citing the need for a sense of belonging and professionalism in the industry. 

He warned that the continued absence of boards would lead to further chaos and inefficiency in the sector.