The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is convening a critical meeting in Abuja with protesting workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) over grievances regarding poor working conditions.
The workers have raised concerns about issues such as the delayed implementation of the new national minimum wage, the exclusion of certain staff from past allowances, and the neglect of essential training programs, among other pressing matters.
The meeting includes the Director-General of NiMET, representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Union of Transport Employees, and other key stakeholders. Following a brief opening session, discussions moved into a closed-door segment.
Additional unions attending the meeting include the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Union of Air Transport Employees.
Meanwhile, the ongoing strike by NiMET workers has entered its second day, causing significant disruptions to flight activities at local airports. Passengers at key hubs such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have been left stranded.
Citing safety concerns, Air Peace has suspended its operations nationwide. In a video, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, directed the cancellation of all flights.
“If NiMET has not called off the strike, cancel every Air Peace flight now with immediate effect. People’s lives and the safety of our equipment and our crew are foremost.
“I don’t care if other airlines are flying. Suspend every Air Peace flight nationwide. Look at the thunderstorm everywhere. Look at the kind of weather we are going into, and NiMET, which is supposed to provide these things, is on strike, and we are flying. Suspend all flights with immediate effect, until further notice, until that strike is over, safety first,” Onyema was heard instructing one of his managers over the phone.