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Aviation agencies’ 50% revenue deduction hampering air safety-say controllers
- NATCA to join strike, shut down sector on Sept 18
Air Traffic Controllers under the aegis of Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has demanded immediate exemption of the aviation agencies from 50%Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) deduction from source by the Federal Government.
The group further stated that the action of the government is posing a huge threat to aviation and airspace safety.
Drawing attention to how the policy is severely undermining the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation industry, NATCA President, Abayomi Agoro said the agencies are in serious financial dire straits.
He noted that the safety-critical activities of the entire aviation sector are slowly grinding to a halt, reaching unacceptable levels, adding that the agencies within the sector are financially constrained, rendering the sector dysfunctional.
He reiterated that this alarming situation if left unaddressed, poses significant risks to the safety and operational effectiveness of Nigerian airspace.
His words, “The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing the collective interests of all Air Traffic Control professionals in Nigeria, wishes to draw urgent attention to the Federal Government ongoing 50% deduction from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of aviation agencies. This policy is severely undermining the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation sector.”
According to the NATCA President, NATCA will not assume responsibility should a strain on the sector’s safety and operational needs result in any critical incident or accident.
The continued financial constraints imposed by these deductions he noted are compromising the ability to deliver safe, efficient air traffic control services.
Consequently, air traffic controllers have been put on notice to embark on total closure of airspace on September 18th, 2024.
They have been asked to comply with the instructions from all the aviation unions to embark on a strike that is capable of paralyzing the entire country’s aviation sector.
“Further instructions will be communicated in due course through the Secretariat. We call on the Federal Government to act swiftly to exempt aviation agencies from the IGR deduction policy and address the financial challenges threatening the safety and functionality of Nigeria’s airspace”, he added
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