NiMet Workers’ Strike Grounds Flights, FG Intervenes

Air travel was disrupted on Wednesday at key airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano following a protest by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

At the Lagos airport, while some airlines like XEJET, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air operated, others, including Air Peace, suspended operations due to the unavailability of essential weather reports.

Air Peace, in a statement via its social media platform, cited the strike and lack of required hazardous weather (CNH) data for safe landings as the reason for halting flights.

In response to the disruption, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has convened a meeting with union representatives to address the grievances.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the strike began at 7:00 am, with NiMet staff and union members patrolling the premises. In Kano’s Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the protest caused major flight delays, leaving many passengers stranded.

Union leaders accused NiMet management of failing to implement agreed wage increases, non-payment of allowances, excluding some staff from previous disbursements, and neglecting critical training.

The leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and other aviation workers’ unions issued a one-month ultimatum for full implementation of the new national minimum wage.

However, a senior NiMet official expressed disappointment over the strike, stating that management had resolved some issues and was actively working on the others.

The official added that while the unions had previously praised NiMet for its labor-friendly policies, the current strike raises questions about underlying motives.

Despite the strike, NiMet’s management reiterated its commitment to resolving the conflict, hoping for a peaceful agreement after the Thursday meeting with the Minister.

Meanwhile, Uzor Oluchi, Deputy President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, criticized the poor working conditions, stating that many staff receive wages far below the federally mandated minimum.