By Chuks Okoh
The president of Aviation Network International ANI,Mr Thompson Obafemi has kicked against the recent threat by members of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association Of Nigeria “ATSSSAN”, to disrupt air transport operations, as unprincipled and resembling an illegal hostage taking, which would not serve the best interest of the industry or its stakeholders.
Speaking during the inauguration of the body in Lagos on Thursday, June 26th, the president of ANI, Mr Obafemi said such calls by ATSSSAN as a result of the non-confirmation of the DG designate for NCAA by the Senatfe, was not in the interest of the aviation industry in particular and the nation in general, and called on the body to contribute to meaningful development of the industry.
According to Mr Obafemi, the union’s role in a civil society is not to usurp the responsibility of our elected leaders, by unfairly twisting government’s arms to dictate implementation of government Policies or functions. He added that every president in the civilized world, has the prerogative of when to nominate and submit the name of the executive officer nominee to the legislatures for confirmation.
The ANI president said, once in the legislature’s domain, they too reserve the right to delay, deny or approve confirmation of relevant executive officers, and he warned that Unions have no business in such process.
“There’s no vacuum caused by having an acting DG in place in NCAA. In fact, the acting DG, Engineer Benedict Adeyileka is a consummate and accomplished professional, with vast multi jurisdictional international experience of the industry, well respected by his peers and operators, and has brought stability in regulating the sector. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Act 2006, stipulates that a Director General be appointed, and does not distinguish whether in acting or substantive capacity. The significant purpose of confirming the DG is for qualification screening and ensuring Tenure in the position”
“So long as the acting DG is qualified and experienced to perform the functions, the fact of his non-confirmation adds nothing significant to the job of ensuring safety of air transport or confer any added legality or legitimacy to the authority’s processes”
Mr Obafemi explained that the assertion that several legal and vital documents and activities were being performed that might become issues of contention and litigations in future, was a disingenuous and untrue statement, stressing that if the union was the protector of the Act, how come they stood silent when Capt. Fola Akinkuotu’s tenure was cut short for no just cause.
Mr Obafemi said that there were very many important issues that needed to be addressed, especially as the government has not made its decision regarding the Agencies’ merger issues.
While commending the management team of NCAA led by Engr Benedict Adeyileka for steering the agency so far, he called on the federal government to ensure that the on going airport projects across the country were completed on schedule, in line with the Aviation master plan as outlined by the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and to further strengthen the country’s aviation sector.
