The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency establish the Governing Boards of Aviation parastatals.
Speaking with aviation reporters in Lagos, ANAP’s General Secretary, Comrade AbdulRasaq Saidu, pointed out that while the government has recently appointed Governing Councils for universities, it should also prioritize the aviation sector, which has long awaited the establishment of its governing boards.
He emphasized that numerous irregularities in the aviation industry stem from non-compliance with the Acts that set up these parastatals.
Saidu noted that many decisions that should be made by these governing boards are currently being taken solely by the minister. “Most of the employments made and contracts awarded ought to have passed through the Governing Boards of Aviation parastatals, but it hasn’t happened because there are no boards in place,” he stated.
He criticized the previous administration for naming individuals to various boards but failing to inaugurate them, leading to continued issues under the current administration.
The absence of these boards he stressed has resulted in unprofessional conduct by ministry officials and politicians, negatively impacting the sector’s operations.
Without the establishment of these boards, the ministry will continue to struggle with employment, policy-making, and resource management, Saidu explained.
He called on President Tinubu to act swiftly to alleviate undue pressure from the aviation ministry.
“Due to the lack of a Board of Directors, the aviation ministry has been improperly interfering in the day-to-day running of the parastatals”.
He noted that the roles of these boards are clearly defined in the Acts that established them, and the previous government’s dissolution of these boards was a deliberate act to gain direct control over parastatal funds.
Saidu also highlighted the mismanagement of the Conditions of Service (CoS) for aviation staff, which should be handled by the concerned Trade Unions and overseen by the governing boards, not the ministry.
He stressed that the Act empowers the governing boards to handle staff CoS and welfare matters, not the ministry.
