The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu has reaffirmed cruciality of conducive working environment to productivity of the staff.
Capt. Musa made this observation during his maiden interactive meeting with the entire staff of the Authority's Lagos Regional Office. The meeting which was facilitated by the Joint Action Congress (JAC) and put together by the Directorate of Human Resources & Administration (DHR&A) was held on Wednesday, 4th May, 2022.
Explaining, the DG stated that the interactive meeting would have taken place long ago but for the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and demands of his office. It will be recalled that Capt. Musa Nuhu assumed office at the peak of pandemic. While expressing apology for just having one-on-one meeting with staff, he, however, promised that such meeting with staff will not only be held quarterly but also replicated in the respective Regions.
That notwithstanding the NCAA helmsman thanked staff of the Authority for their dedication and commitment to work in the face of manifest inconveniences and prevalent insecurity. In specific term, Capt. Musa made reference to the team spirit exhibited during the advent of the coronavirus pandemic which shook the world and indeed entire human race in a an unprecedented manner with aviation industry being the worst hit.
It was such concerted effort that birthed the industry restart programme which kick-started the industry restart effort. It is recognition of that epoch making success that the Authority has carved a niché for itself in the comity of Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) culminating in corporate continental commendations and personal awards. According to the DG, a management is as good as her staff, stressing that all adulations are attributable to members of staff.
He further remarked that recovery of aviation in Nigeria is the highest in the entire world, with new airlines springing up and a handful of others are at different stages of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) procurement process. In his view, that the passenger traffic volume is increasing by the day is ample testament to the increased confidence in the industry, and all these milestones are owing to collective efforts of staff and other stakeholders.
Therefore, to ensure staff continues to give their best to the system, the exigency of suitable working environment cannot be downplayed, he stated. On that note, he promised to provide adequate tools and conducive environment for staff to work which will go a long way in enhancing their productivity.
On the relocation of staff to Abuja, the NCAA DG stated that such movement shall be gradual and strategic. According to Capt. Musa, that Corporate Headquarters of the Authority has been moved to Abuja does not diminish the fact that Lagos still remains where majority of aviation business and work is done and as such, will be given pride of place like other regional offices in terms of staffing, tooling and conduciveness.
Speaking further, the DG who took turn to speak about a wide spectrum of raging issues affecting staff, including long-standing staff Conditions of Service (COS) and national minimum wages consequential adjustment. However, he promised leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring its immediate implementation once necessary i's have been dotted and t's crossed by the approving authorities. Even though total financial implications of defraying the arrears on NCAA's financial status will come into play, he assured staff that spread of arrears payment will be drastically minimized so that it comes handy to staff.
He however, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the four workers unions for their untold sacrifice and understanding since he assumed office, promising such wonderful hands of fellowship will never be taken for granted.
In his own contribution, the Director of Human Resources & Administration, Mr. Adamu Wakil recounted all efforts made by the DG so far. Therefore, the Director solicited understanding and cooperation of staff towards seeing these challenges of COS and consequential adjustment surmounted in no distant time. It is in a bid to ensure their quick approval that a committee comprising all Directors of Human Resources of all aviation agencies was formed to meet and chart a way forward.
On side of the union leaders, chairman of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) who also doubles as chairman of the Joint Action Congress (JAC), the umbrella name for the four aviation unions in NCAA, Comrade Ayodele Sofolahan thanked the DG for taking time out to address the staff, promising him of labour's readiness to work and cooperate with him to engender industrial harmony in the sector.
Afterwards, the DG took time to provide answers and clarifications on some of the questions raised by the ecstatic staff. Prominent among such requests, questions and clarifications are issues of over 100 staff of Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR) that could not go for 2020/21 annual training despite having been approved by DG; stagnated promotion on account of absence of vacancies; Health Management Organizations' (HMO) lukewarm attitude and shabby treatment of staff, their family members and other beneficiaries; provision of befitting staff canteen in NCAA Annex and so on.
In response, the DG informed staff that the Management is not oblivious of their plights in this regard, and that explains why a new contractual agreement has been signed with a new HMO named Songhai to provide better health services to staff. He also promised to look earnestly into staff canteen for Annex in this year's budget. Other issue that DG promised to look into, with DHR&A and DFA, is that of over 100 untrained staff in the DATR.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Chairman, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Benjamin Godwin thanked the DG for his listening ears and firm commitment to anything affecting staff, with the aim of alleviating it.
Highlight of the engaging meeting which was anchored by General Manager, Public Relations Department, Mr. Sam Adurogboye was taking of pictures by the enthusiastic staff with their DG.
Apart from coteries of staff, notable senior members of the Authority's management team in attendance for the landmark event are Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS), Capt. Elisha Bahago; Director of Human Resources and Administration (DHR&A), Mr. Wakil Adamu; Director of Air Transport Regulation (DATR), Capt. Chris Najomo; Company Secretary, Barr. Benson Olu Akinde; Legal Adviser, Barrister Chukwuma Emmanuel; General Manager, Commercial & Statistics, Mr. Rotimi Arogunjo; and General Manager, Air Operator Certification & Surveillance, Engr. Godwin Ballang.
Other senior staffers in attendance include General Manager, Air Navigation Services Surveillance, Mr. Ajakaye Paul Adeniran; Deputy General, Industrial Relations & Welfare (IR&W), Mr. Maxwell Achonwa; Assist. General Manager (IR&W), Mrs. Ogunmoyin Olanike; Head, Human Resources & Administration, Mrs. Ayotunde Rukayat; and a host of others.