NUATE protests against Dana’s commencement of regional flight from MMA2

National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has organised a solidarity rally to the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCA) in Lagos over moves by Dana Air to commence regional flights from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2).

Williams Ukah, deputy president, NUATE, who led the Joint Action Congress (JAC) rally, raised several issues the group wanted management attention on.

The issues include: the Dana Air request to commence a regional flight operation from MMA2, training for technical staff, autonomy, staff claims and airlines indebtedness to NCAA.

The unions urged the NCAA not to accede to Dana Air’s request to operate a regional flight from the MMA2 so as not to incur the wrath of labour in the sector.

The union hinged their position on the ground that the request negated Aviation Security (AVSEC) at the terminal and the agreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the operator of the terminal.

They were however full of praise of the management of NCAA over the amicable resolution of the issue of staff promotions and prompt payment of staff salaries and other emoluments at this time of the year.

Nuhu Ozigi, NCAA director of finance and accounts, on behalf of Usman Muhtar director-general, addressed the unions and also received a letter addressed to the director-general.

As a regulatory body, issue of staff training and re-training both local and foreign was of utmost priority, but that in compliance with budgetary regulatory policy of the Federal Government, foreign trainings for technical staff needs approval from the Head of Service of the Federation through the ministry and that the approval processes are ongoing, he said.

He promised that the management would look into the issue of Dana Air request critically before taking a decision on it.

He however noted that some technical staff from the critical sections of NCAA were currently at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology undergoing various relevant local trainings in line with International Civil Aviation Organization’s recommendations.