By Chidiebere Ugwu
Federal Government would be saving close to N1 billion annually following the relocation of the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has said.
Keyamo gave the figure while fielding questions from journalists at the sidelines of the grand finale of 10th Edition of the Aviation Workers’ Week and Award Nite (AWWAN) which held in Abuja on Friday.
The Minister said that in 2023 alone workers of the agency spent close to N1 billion as BTAs and shuttling between Lagos and Abuja, an amount he saved, would now be saved simply because all decision makers would now be in one location following the relocation.
“I am sure you saw my interview recently where I explained the situation thoroughly. And I am sure our brothers from some parts of the country would understand. I think it was just that they did not understand what we were trying to do before. In fact, I had to do the figures which I told the management of FAAN to give to us, that in tickets alone we paid about more than N450 Million because of lack of coordination, lack of being in one decisions making place. And in Basic Traveling Allowances (BTAs) alone we paid about N493 million in 2023 alone, making nearly N1 billion that we paid, just because all the decision makers cannot be one place. They don’t have to be shuttling back and forth carrying files to and from Abuja. They don’t have to do that. I only need to see the Managing Director here when I need her. The MD will only come to Abuja on the invitation of the Minister to brief him on the issues going on” he said.
The Edition of the Aviation Workers’ Week and Award Nite (AWWAN) was organized by the Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council, an Amalgam of four existing unions in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development with the theme: “Workers As Strategic Partners In Achieving the Aviation Road Map”.
Comrade Hector Nnamdi, Chairman, Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council, in welcome address, noted that the traditional Aviation Workers’ Week and Award Nite started some days ago in the Ministry, adding that yesterday’s event marked the grand finale.
According to the Chairman, this year’s theme intends to focus on Key Performance Index (KPI) and Key Performance Results (KPRs) as may be achieved through workers’ support and collaboration.
He said the Minister of the Workers’ readiness to help drive the 5-points agenda set out to accomplish by the Ministry in line with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our loyalty to your planned vision for the Sector is, undoubtedly unwavering. We shall help drive the 5-point Agenda in line with the Renewed Hope mantra of the present Government.
“Once again, Honourable Minister, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. You may wish to note that we have assembled a team of seasoned professionals and Aviation analysts to examine and highlight the roles of Aviation Workers in actualizing a prosperous Aviation industry of our dream. At the end of deliberations today, we shall raise a Communique which shall be escalated to your esteemed office for further consideration.
“On behalf of all workers here present, | wish to sincerely thank the Honourable Minister and his team for supporting the hosting of this event and also the rare honour of gracing this Edition of our much cherished annual event, We are, indeed, proud of you” he said.
