The Renewal of "ASI" Contractors, got Ministerial Approval’- NCAA

as Authority explains non-payment of salaries

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Sunday, disclaimed reports stating that 100 persons were interviewed and employed by the Authority in Abuja without ministerial approval.

 

Muhtar Usman, director-general, NCAA, in his reaction, said he sought and obtained ministerial approval for renewal of contracts for 45 Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) whose contracts had expired, contrary to the claims by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), that instead of the Authority paying outstanding salaries of those workers who were recalled by the Ministry of Aviation, it went ahead to employ more 100 personnel.

The NUATE had on Friday, petitioned the Ministry of Aviation over alleged refusal by the NCAA to pay some workers about eight months salaries, also accusing the Authority of recruiting over 100 workers in Abuja, when it had not paid some workers.

But Usman said the employment exercise carried out was expedient to ensure the regulatory Authority was adequately staffed and well armed to provide a robust safety oversight as statutorily required.

In addition, he said, “this same ministerial approval was granted to DG’s request to proactively beef up staff strength in some critical areas in the Authority. These are Medical Assessors, Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and additional Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) – all totalling 33.”

During Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recertification and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Audits, part of the Open Items was prerequisite technical manpower, Usman said.

There is an impending International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in November 2015, he noted, adding that the request and ministerial approval obtained was to ensure that Nigeria possessed adequate manpower to come out in flying colours again.

On staff who were recalled and yet to be paid, he said 113 applicants were employed before he assumed office.

“However, due to the impropriety of the employment the minister directed that they should be relieved of their appointments. After ceaseless agitations and representations, the decision was rescinded and they were recalled. At the process of documentation, it was discovered that there were irregularities and proper procedure was not adhered to.

“The ministry therefore gave approval for a fresh interview for those who were not properly interviewed. After the exercise, those successful were recalled and have since commenced drawing salary from the authority.

“On the other hand, 47 others are yet to be regularised. The Authority is at the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for procedural confirmation. It is at the end of this that appointment letters will be issued to the candidates. We wish to reiterate that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is preparing adequately for the forthcoming Audit and all hands must be on deck to ensure Nigeria is successful,” he said.

by Sade Williams