Aggrieved worker of the liquidated Nigeria Airways on Wednesday morning staged a peaceful protest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos over alleged delay by the Federal Government to settle their outstanding entitlements believed to be around N78 billion.
THE Chairman of Nigeria Airways Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Sam Nzene who addressed newsmen during the protest lamented that government has refuse to clear their entitlement despite the current harsh economic realities.
He noted that the situation had put members in a terrible condition. “We understand the funds are ready because bond was floated and the bond has since matured in June, but up till now, what we are saying is that nobody has called us for negotiations on the next line of action. By now, we should be working with the unit that has been mandated to pay us, but up till now they are doing the payment in secret.
“They do not want us to know. Even the aviation ministry is not so much in the know of what they are doing, so we want the President to please call those concerned to order. We are not seriously quarreling that we have not been paid, but that the union should be aware of what they are doing, so that we can equally tell our members to remain calm that we will get our money.”
He stated that the protest became imperative since the union had written several letters and made attempts to meet with relevant authorities to no avail. He regretted that though the government had reportedly approved funds for the settlement of the entitlement, no official has called them for negotiation or to disclose what has been approved.
“Since the approval came, nobody has told us what has been approved, but as long as we are concerned, our money is N78 billion; 5,909 workers and pensioners are to benefit,” Recall that the Obasanjo administration had liquidated the carrier in 2005.
