Emmanuel Adigwe
The Senate committee on Aviation has stated that re-opening of the nation’s airports for operation on June 21 was unrealistic because of concerns raised by workers in the aviation industry.
Smart Adeyemi, Chairman of the Committee, stated this when the committee met with officials of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Air Transport Services.
It will be recalled that the union officials had expressed their fears over the new date and they stated that workers had not been paid salaries for some months, and some workers received half of their pay since the coronavirus pandemic.
They also stated that there was need for a special financial intervention and the availability of provision of necessary protocols as well as protective systems before reopening the airports for operations.
Mr Adeyemi said the senate was worried about the issues and the challenges by the aviation workers.
He said: “Though you emphasised the need to unlock the airport, the fact remains that there are quite a number of issues that are begging for answers.
“I do not see how we will allow the airports to be unlocked when you are telling us that some of your colleagues have not been paid for months or that they were paid half salary.
“It will be suicidal to allow you guys to man the facilities, if you are saying that you have not been paid, so we must see how we can address this issue.
“I personally nurse the fear that it will be practically impossible for us to unlock the airports and aviation industry on June 21, given the issues raised.”