The Federal Government has said ex-staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited will be paid their N45 billion severance package after Easter holiday as soon as the Senate resumes sitting and approves the funds. The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika stated this on Thursday on the sidelines of the 4th Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja.
The Minister said the Federal Government had made provision for the funds to be released but would follow due process to ensuring that the issue is resolved.
“Every expenditure of government needs a legislative stamp, including that for Nigeria Airways pensioners. The House of Representatives has already dealt with the matter and passed it. So, once they pass it at the Senate, which is after Easter, we will go ahead and pay.
“The money has been provided and we are willing to pay, but we have to legalise it by going through the National Assembly to approve and stamp it. It is the requirement of the law and this government will always do things in accordance with the law. So, we will pay the workers.”
The clarification came after workers in the aviation sector threatened to embark on nationwide strike after 14 days, if the government fails to pay the severance package of the ex-staff.
Speaking also on the planned establishment of a national carrier, the Minister said three companies had been selected. He listed the companies to include Airline Management Group Limited of the UK, Avia Solutions Limited and Tianerro FZE.
“The transaction advisers have all commenced work and are liaising with the project delivery team. All the transaction advisers except the one for the national carrier were engaged in May 2017 and have a nine-month contract duration.
“The deliverables by the transaction advisers include to outline business case for adopting PPP methodology, development of a well-structured PPP procurement process to select a PPP partner, prepare the full business case, as well as support the ministry to obtain FBC compliance certificate from the ICRC, FEC approval and progress transaction up to financial closure.
“The outline business case shall on completion and due approval by relevant authorities be presented to interested investors.”
