Air Traffic Controllers Suspend Planned Strike

The Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association on Sunday called off its planned withdrawal of service scheduled for April 20. This was contained in a statement signed by the association’s Deputy President and National Secretary, Haruna Bassi and Banji Olawode, in Lagos. The statement noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the harmonised rating allowances for NATCA. The statement said: “We enjoin all our members to continue to render their services in ensuring a safe and secure airspace in Nigeria. “We shall partner with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency on the future growth of the agency.” It would be recalled that NATCA on April 16 embarked on a six-hour temporary withdrawal of service to press home their demand. The association, however, issued a follow up statement to embark on a full-fledged withdrawal of service beginning from midnight on April 20. However, in a telephone interview with Olawode by the News Agency of Nigeria, he noted that the Presidency granted approval for their demand on April 17. He said the Presidency has ordered the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency to pay the harmonised rating allowances to the air traffic controllers. The NAMA spokesperson, Olajumoke Adetona, could not be reached on telephone to ascertain when the allowances would take effect and be paid to the NATCA members.