Aviation workers fret over agencies’ merger
- Action may erode gains, say experts
Workers in the aviation industry have begun to fret over the plan by the Federal Government to implement the Stephen Oronsaye report that would merge about 102 Federal Government Agencies.
Although, the aviation is not part of agencies that had been approved for merger, workers in the aviation industry are on the edge as they do not want to be caught unawares and indicated their desire to protest should the Federal Government go ahead to add aviation to the list.
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved the implementation of the report of the committee headed by Stephen Orasanye, former Head of Service of the Federation.
The 800-page report had recommended the abolishment and merging of 102 government agencies and parastatals.
There were indications that key experts in the aviation sector coupled with the huge influence of the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika in this present administration may have made government to rescind the decision to merge the various aviation agencies which in turn could have eroded the gains made over the years.
The aviation agencies have distinct functions each performs to guarantee safety. Merging the agencies would bring confusion and endanger air safety.
The Orosanye white Paper which was accepted recommended that the trio of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and their respective enabling laws amended accordingly to reflect the merger.
The White Paper equally recommended that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) be privatised without further delay. This recommendation was rejected in view of the security situation in the country.
The White Paper equally recommended that the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) be developed into a unified accident investigation bureau for the entire transport sector. This recommendation was rejected.
Aviation consultant, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo described the report if implemented as unfavourable, archaic and capable of dragging the industry backwards with attendant loss of confidence and increased cost of operation.
“I will not want to bore the public again with ICAO rules of engagement, other writers have dwelt on that since the report became public, while our representatives in the different international organisations can also use their instrument of office overtly or covertly to pass the message on ICAO statutes and other working materials to the Federal Government”.
“The regulator and service provider cannot be under one roof or management. This, in essence makes a mockery of regulation and certification. The international community has applauded our development and strides; we do not need the Oransanye report to drag us back”.
Former President, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mohammed Safiyanu said the purported approval to merge NCAA, NAMA and NIMET would compromise safety and security,
A former President, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mohammed Safiyanu, also said the proposal to merge NCAA, NAMA and NIMET would compromise safety and security.
Top among the agencies are Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).
These agencies are followed by the National Salaries and Wages Commission; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission; Infrastructure Concessionary and Regulatory Commission; EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau; Fiscal Responsibility Commission; National Board for Technical Education; National Commission for Colleges of Education; Federal Character Commission; Gurara Water Management Authority (GWMA); Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC); National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Commercial Law Department; and Centre for Automotive Design and Development (CADD).
Others are: Standards Organisation of Nigeria; Consumer Protection Council (CPC); National Orientation Agency (NOA); National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO); Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR); National Troupe and the National Theatre; National Gallery of Arts; Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN); Nigeria Leather Science Technology; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT); National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI); FIIRO, NASENI, NCAM; National Rural Electrification Agency (NREA); National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) among others..
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