By Nkechi Eze
The management of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has explained that it has not abandoned the request of the workers unions.
The agency said it is already discussing with the relevant government agencies.
This was in response to the latest threat by three major aviation sector unions; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), to resume strike action.
According to these aviation sector unions,NiMet’s management has failed to implement critical components of the January 28, 2025 agreement, hence the threat to commence industrial action in a bid to press home their demands.
A letter signed on behalf of the Director General/Chief Executive Officer by Dr.Nasiru Sani, Director, Human Resource Management & Administration, however described the unions’ claims as “unfair” and “demeaning.”
It reads “Sequel to your letter dated 10th April,2025 on the above subject
matter,I am directed to acknowledge Management’s receipt of the
letter and to respond to the issues raised therein as follows:
“I. Agreement/Communique of 28th January,2025. lt is being most unfair to management,for the Unions to allege that all
elements of the Agreement of 28th January 2025 remain agonizingly
in abeyance even when Management have had to relate with the relevant government agencies to address issues raised by the Unions.”
NiMet said that most of the issues raised were not
those that management could handle with just the rule of the thumb, that they were issues that needed the interventions of other government
agencies that management have actually related with and in most
of the cases awaiting responses or approvals.”
It recalled that on the January 28 Agreement, Management had maintained that while the union’s concerns are valid, many of the issues raised required inter-agency cooperation.
Consequently, Dr. Sani, noted that NiMet has engaged relevant government agencies and is now awaiting responses or approvals on several matters.
On the issue raised over Conditions of Service, NiMet said it had already forwarded the documents to the Ministry and even enhanced the terms by including additional allowances. Nimet condemned the union’s “unbelief attitude” regarding the integrity of the negotiated Conditions of Service.
On pending wage awards and payments, Nimet noted that on the 25–35% wage award, the balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and omission of 30 staff from that payment, all necessary approvals have been obtained and that fund release is being awaited from the appropriate authorities.
On matter of salary relativity dispute in which the union’s reference to a directive to adopt the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) salary structure, Nimet said the demand is not supported by any verifiable document.
However, Dr. Sani maintained that NiMet has engaged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who expressed desires to improve the staff welfare.
Dr. Sani also responded to the issue raised on staff training, saying that Management stressed that it initiated a structured and inclusive staff training programme in 2024, tagged “Continuous Staff Training” as part of efforts to ensure no employee is left out in the staff training initiative.
Also, on quarterly conditions of service allowance, Nimet explained that despite financial constraints, the Director-General had recently approved and paid the quarterly allowance to all staff as a gesture of goodwill to the unions.
Also, on revenue drive and ministerial support, Dr. Saani NiMet disclosed that NiMet had obtained approval for an upward review of its internally generated revenue (IGR) share from NAMA, NCAA, and FAAN, to boost staff welfare initiatives.
In the face of the impending strike action being threatened, NiMet reaffirmed its preference for dialogue over confrontation.
NiMet has therefore invited the unions to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns and prevent the breakdown of industrial harmony.
In conclusion, Dr. Sani reiterated NiMet’s management’s high regard for its workforce.
“We are always open to dialogue,” the statement concluded.
