jirginsama
3rd Apr 2006, 11:28
MORE than half of all workers in the aviation industry may soon lose their jobs as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) moves to enforce compliance with a ministerial directive limiting the handling of domestic passengers and luggage to two firms.
The two companies selected by the Aviation Minister, Prof. Babalola Borishade, last month are the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL).
The directive, which is currently being implemented only at the Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports, also empowers the firms to engage in direct handling of some domestic carriers' ticketing and luggage handling as obtains globally.
On account of this development, affected staff of the airlines may soon start receiving disengagement letters from this week, as the airlines had since Saturday complied with the directive.
The NCAA on Friday held a meeting with operators over the far reaching issues on how to reposition the industry for safety, security and efficient service delivery.
The authority equally outlawed the use of airlines' gangway (steps) because of accidents recorded in the past. Hence, SAHCOL was also asked to provide steps to all the airlines for disembarkation of their passengers before departure and on arrival.
The airlines were initially asked to pay N40,000 per service rendered to each airline, but protest by the operators forced the ministry to accept N10,000 per service provided within an hour by the handling company.
The airlines had argued that the fee of N40,000 would make things difficult for them.
The airlines cited the five per cent passenger service charge already being paid to the NCAA which the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) deducts from each passenger; the astronomical increase in aviation fuel (JET A1), and landing and parking charges, regarded as the highest in the world and other sundry charges.
The Operations Manager of Chanchangi Airlines, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, told journalists at the weekend that there would definitely be job cuts, as SAHCOL now takes charge of all handling work.
Tukur added that the policy would take a lot of strain off their shoulders, stressing "that is what obtains all over the world."
Tukur also hinted that the new move had led to the laying off of not less than 30 per cent of his airlines' workers, adding that Chanchangi had already started setting aside its outdated equipment in preparation for the take-off of the new directive.
He, however, urged the handling companies to help absorb staff that might be affected by the implementation of the new directive.
General Manager, SAHCOL, Mr. Olaolu Owolabi, said the ministerial directive was a result of the desire of the minister to ensure that whatever is deployed to the ramp is of international standard.
Owolabi added that he had also held discussions with the airlines on ways to absorb some of the workers who meet the high standard of aviation handling.
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article06
The two companies selected by the Aviation Minister, Prof. Babalola Borishade, last month are the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL).
The directive, which is currently being implemented only at the Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports, also empowers the firms to engage in direct handling of some domestic carriers' ticketing and luggage handling as obtains globally.
On account of this development, affected staff of the airlines may soon start receiving disengagement letters from this week, as the airlines had since Saturday complied with the directive.
The NCAA on Friday held a meeting with operators over the far reaching issues on how to reposition the industry for safety, security and efficient service delivery.
The authority equally outlawed the use of airlines' gangway (steps) because of accidents recorded in the past. Hence, SAHCOL was also asked to provide steps to all the airlines for disembarkation of their passengers before departure and on arrival.
The airlines were initially asked to pay N40,000 per service rendered to each airline, but protest by the operators forced the ministry to accept N10,000 per service provided within an hour by the handling company.
The airlines had argued that the fee of N40,000 would make things difficult for them.
The airlines cited the five per cent passenger service charge already being paid to the NCAA which the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) deducts from each passenger; the astronomical increase in aviation fuel (JET A1), and landing and parking charges, regarded as the highest in the world and other sundry charges.
The Operations Manager of Chanchangi Airlines, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, told journalists at the weekend that there would definitely be job cuts, as SAHCOL now takes charge of all handling work.
Tukur added that the policy would take a lot of strain off their shoulders, stressing "that is what obtains all over the world."
Tukur also hinted that the new move had led to the laying off of not less than 30 per cent of his airlines' workers, adding that Chanchangi had already started setting aside its outdated equipment in preparation for the take-off of the new directive.
He, however, urged the handling companies to help absorb staff that might be affected by the implementation of the new directive.
General Manager, SAHCOL, Mr. Olaolu Owolabi, said the ministerial directive was a result of the desire of the minister to ensure that whatever is deployed to the ramp is of international standard.
Owolabi added that he had also held discussions with the airlines on ways to absorb some of the workers who meet the high standard of aviation handling.
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article06