Aviation Staffs Grip With Fear

According to report, workers of the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation, including its agencies’ over 830 staff members, are presently gripped by fear following the sack of over 187 staff members of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by the Federal Government.

According to Thisday newspaper report online, two Directors of the NCAA were also suspended over an ongoing audit report constituted by Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka.

It was disclosed that workers of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NCAA, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), the Nigeria College Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) presently gripped with fear as they await the final outcome of the audit report.

Speaking on the matter, a senior official of one of the agencies, who spoke to Thisday’s reporter on Saturday under anonymity, stated that the palpable fear gripping the agency is becoming obvious. 

The source added that: “There is visible fear at the agency as staffs are even afraid of going on their annual leave. This is to (enable them) keep an eye on emerging wind of sack at the ministry.”

He said the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has created more fears within the industry.

According to the source, there is speculation that all the agencies have been directed to shed weight. 

It was gathered that while the ongoing staff audit is being embarked by the ministry, the pervasive atmosphere of suspense and jittery within the ministry is becoming more pronounced.

It was recalled that while confirming the sack of 187 work-force from NCCA, Chidoka had said that there was still an internal audit going on, and that the outcome of the process would be made known to the general public soon.