NCAA sanctions four airlines

THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sanctioned four erring operators for violations.

Its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, who stated this yesterday, did not identify the operators.

But, he said they are scheduled and non-scheduled operators.

Adurogboye said infractions by the airlines were discovered during on the spot inspections carried out by NCAA Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI).

NCAA inspectors, the NCAA spokesman said, found out a number of deficiencies on the airlines, including non-implementation of training programmes of maintenance personnel as required, irregularities concerning helicopter flight identification, deliberate violation of regulations, performing maintenance programme without necessary approval and using outdated manual.

These, he said, were found to be in violation of the civil aviation regulations.

Consequently, the various operators were sanctioned with fines ranging from N1.5 million to N2 million.

One of the operator involved in deliberate violation of the regulations had its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) suspended for 180 days.

However, he said the authority has ensured that the affected personnel in question in the employment of one of the airlines are trained accordingly.

Adurogboye reassured stakeholders that NCAA would keep ensuring that Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs] are strictly followed.

But, aviation unions – Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) – have vowed to declare a state of emergency in NCAA from tomorrow, if their demands for staff promotion are not met.

The unions stated this at the weekend in Lagos, claiming that the NCAA management has taken them for granted on issues of promotions for the agency’s workers.

Chairman, NCAA Joint Action Committee and NUATE Chairman, NCAA branch Lucky Izebhokun said the agency’s management would be looking for trouble, if they do not promote the workers.

Izebhokun, who said a lot of people have been highly discouraged in the system, added the aggrieved workers were ready for showdown on January 2, 2019.

On his part, Chairman, ATSSSAN NCAA branch Comrade Ayodele Sofola confirmed that the issue has been delayed for long.

Comrade Sofola said: “We have been on this issue for the past one year and we have not seen any good result. We have given the NCAA management ultimatum to either get this promotion done or we declare a state of emergency.”

In his reaction, Adurugboye said NCAA is known for industrial harmony and that management and the unions have always been on the same page.

According to him, he  believes that both parties would reach a compromise very soon because from 2000 till date, the unions and management always sit down together and discuss.