Aviation Expert Alleges Sirika’s Unusual Hires, Urges Review

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has been urged to reevaluate the appointments made by his predecessor, Sen. Hadi Sirika, during the past two years. Comrade Olayinka Abioye, the former General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), expressed these concerns in an open letter addressed to Minister Keyamo. This letter was obtained by Infostride News.

In his letter, Abioye pointed out that Sen. Hadi Sirika had made numerous appointments over the last eight years, including at least 6,000 personnel. A significant number of these appointees reportedly did not meet the minimum requirements for their positions. He also alleged that many of these appointments were made without following due process and industry-recommended practices.

Abioye emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns without advocating for the removal or dismissal of individuals from their employment. He suggested that the appointments and recruitments that did not adhere to due process and recommended standards, as outlined in the various Conditions of Service (CoS) of aviation agencies, should be reviewed and rectified. Abioye recommended a holistic approach to regularization, which would involve reassigning individuals to positions that match their qualifications.

Regarding the appointments made within the past 24 months, Abioye urged Minister Keyamo to conduct a thorough review, especially since many of these appointments were made despite opposition from industry unions. He estimated that around 2,000 such appointments were made during this period.

Abioye also voiced concerns about the impact of these appointments on career civil servants within aviation agencies. He claimed that the non-technical and professional personnel in key positions had hindered the career growth of those who were qualified for such positions. He believed that the nation’s aviation sector would benefit greatly from addressing this issue promptly.

These concerns are not new within the aviation industry, as the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) had previously raised objections to recent recruitments in aviation agencies. NATCA expressed particular concern about the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the recruitment practices that contradicted the agency’s mandate.

The President of NATCA, Mr. Abayomi Agoro, urged NAMA’s management to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the agency’s staff strength on a departmental or directorate basis. This evaluation would ensure alignment with the agency’s core mandate and industry best practices. Agoro emphasized that there was a shift away from the agency’s core mandates and an increase in departments and directorates that added to the agency’s overhead costs, ultimately promoting inefficiency.

Furthermore, NATCA believed that some departments and directorates were not provided for or intended by the provisions in the NAMA Establishment Act 22 of 2022 (as amended). The association sought Minister Keyamo’s support in rectifying these issues to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the aviation and aerospace sector.

In conclusion, the aviation and aerospace sector in Nigeria faces challenges related to appointments and recruitments, particularly during the tenure of Sen. Hadi Sirika. Concerns have been raised by industry insiders, including Comrade Olayinka Abioye and the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), about the need to address these issues to ensure the sector operates in line with industry best practices and legal mandates. Minister Keyamo has been urged to review recent appointments and take necessary steps to rectify any irregularities, fostering the growth and efficiency of the nation’s aviation industry.