The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to engage with airlines to ensure that union members can exercise their rights and operate freely within their organisations.

This directive was issued during the Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum held in Lagos over the weekend. Keyamo’s move comes in response to concerns raised by aviation workers’ unions regarding airlines restricting union activities. He emphasised the importance of allowing union activities within airlines and instructed the NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, to commence immediate discussions with airlines to implement this directive.

“The NCAA must open discussions with airlines to ensure that union members can exercise their rights within the workplace,” the Minister stated.

In addition to addressing union concerns, Keyamo assured union representatives that they would be actively involved in discussions surrounding the concession of airports. He emphasised the importance of transparency in the concession process and promised to instruct his Special Assistant on Public-Private Partnerships (SA PPP) to engage union leaders and keep them informed about the plans.

“We will carry the unions along in the concession process. Their input is vital to ensuring that the interests of workers are protected,” he said.

The forum, attended by key aviation agency heads and industry stakeholders, also saw the Minister urging foreign airlines to patronise indigenous caterers. He warned that compliance with this directive would be a key factor in approving airline schedules.

“Foreign airlines must patronize indigenous caterers. Otherwise, I will not sign the summer schedule,” Keyamo declared. He directed Capt. Najomo to immediately engage with airlines to ensure adherence to this policy.

Keyamo further revealed that President Bola Tinubu has finalised plans for the reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, alongside potential concessions for smaller airports to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. (Saturday Sun)