Air Nigeria Workers Protest, Seek Arrest Of Ibrahim

Decry Closure

Chide NCAA, CAC

HUNDREDS of workers comprising aircraft pilots, engineers and ground workers of Air Nigeria yesterday protested the sudden disengagement and alleged liquidation of the airline by its owner, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The workers converged at the corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Lagos, chanting ant-Ibrahim slogans, just as they called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately arrest the business mogul for allegedly plundering the resources of the carrier.

The protesters were however received by a top official of the NCAA, Group Captain Adetu Olusola (rtd), on behalf of the agency’s Director General, Dr. Harold Demuren.

Olusola, who addressed the protesters, promise to take their grievances to the Federal Government, adding that  disengaging the over 700 workers of the airline without their entitlements would compound the unemployment crisis in the country.

As early as 9am yesterday, the workers, led by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), had been trooping to the area with placards bearing inscriptions like, “Jimoh Ibrahim is killing the Nigerian economy by creating more unemployment,” “Jimoh Ibrahim, remit our pension and taxes of two years,” “Where is our salaries for five months”? “EFCC, ask Jimoh Ibrahim of the N36 billion intervention fund collected,” “Jonathan, save Nigeria’s aviation industry,” “Air Nigeria’s N6 billion sales proceed diverted into NICON account,” among others.

Chairman of the airline, Ibrahim could not be reached as his phone was switched off.

The protesting workers, after their speeches, marched through the MMA2 terminal and the major roads around the airport, escorted by policemen who were on hand to forestall breakdown of law and order.

From there, they proceeded to the secretariat of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), a distance of about two kilometres for  a world press conference.

Speaking to reporters, the National President of NAAPE, Isaac Balami, said, “You are aware by now, the chairman of Air Nigeria, Jimoh Ibrahim, has announced the closure of Air Nigeria; in the same breath he announced the sack of all, but 50 loyal staff of over 700 of the airline.”

He added: “No doubt, you are wondering how this man is able to meander his way through the web of regulatory authorities thus far.

“How come the NCAA, which has the dossier of Jimoh Ibrahim from his earlier failed adventure with NICON Airways, allowed him to buy another airline without putting in place frame work for close monitoring to avoid his past transgression.

“Does the company and Allied Commission not have the means to determine individuals who constitute danger to the business community?”

Air Nigeria before now has been under partial suspension since June 21, 2012 on the orders of the NCAA. This was sequel to the failure of a financial audit carried out by the authority, meaning that the carrier is financially distressed.