BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Umar Farouk, has asked workers to remain committed in achieving the organization’s mission and vision, assuring that the agency is at an advanced stage in implementing an enhanced condition of service for them.
This move, he said, aligns with the vision of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to create a supportive and rewarding work environment for aviation professionals.
Speaking through the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo, at the Workers’ Day celebration organised by the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Farouk emphasized that staff welfare remains a top priority for the agency.
According to Tayo, NAMA has engaged extensively with representatives of the various aviation unions to ensure the improved welfare package reflects the collective aspirations of the staff.
“You recalled that at the inception of this administration, we inherited a moribund condition of service and I want to say today that we have paid all our staff, we have executed that condition of service,” he said.
Providing further updates, he stated, “Regarding the new condition of service and the minimum wage, we have set up a committee with the unions. We have worked on it, they held a meeting in Kano, and we are just at the concluding stage of discussion to begin the payment of the new minimum wages.”
Tayo affirmed that the proposed welfare packages are in line with the minister’s broader policy direction, which places workers’ welfare at the forefront of aviation sector reforms.
“The new condition of service, which has been overtaken by events, will be paid very soon. We have also introduced so many allowances in our old condition of service.
“You will bear with me that there was nothing like outfit allowances — we even paid in arrears. Very soon you will smile, pretty soon you will laugh,” he assured the jubilant workforce.
Highlighting further gains under the current administration, he added, “Again last year, we changed the fortune of our staff. We were not going for local and international training.
“This year, we have commenced another training session for all staff of NAMA. We continue to engage the unions — we are part of you, we are behind you, and we will continue to support you to see that our staff are well taken care of.”
The NAMA leadership reiterated its commitment to staff development and welfare as essential to the agency’s operational success and sustained growth.
