The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has suspended its planned nationwide protest over the Federal Government’s deduction of 50% of internally generated revenue (IGR) from aviation agencies.
The protest, originally scheduled to begin on September 18, 2024, was called off following assurances of ongoing discussions between higher authorities and union leaders.
NAAPE, along with other aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE), had been in conflict with the Federal Government over the deductions, which they argued were hindering the growth and development of the aviation sector.
While the government had proposed reducing the deduction from 50% to 20%, the unions remained firm in their demand for a complete exemption from the deductions.
In a statement, NAAPE General Secretary Olayinka Abioye confirmed the suspension of the protest, stating, “Consequent upon information available to us about ongoing discussions by higher authorities over the continued deduction of 50%, the planned protest is hereby suspended pending the outcome of these discussions, which we shall communicate appropriately to all members.”
