The Joint Action Congress (JAC), an umbrella body of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Unions of Sir Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) representing workers of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), have expressed confidence in the leadership of the regulatory body, calling for the confirmation of its Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo as the substantive DG.

In a statement signed this weekend by Jakada Anthony (Chairman NUATE); Remi Aderinkomi (Chairman, ATSSSAN); Ben Godwin, (Chairman ANAP) and Diepreye Saburugha, (Chairman NAAPE/JAC), said the decision was taken at an extra-ordinary leadership meeting on November 23, 2024.

The workers said in their statement that ‘there is a new culture of dignity and value for the workforce birthed in the NCAA under the current management totally fits into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and is now the driving force unlocking several achievements across the sector.’

The workers commended stakeholders who have commended Najomo’s efforts to reposition civil aviation in Nigeria since he assumed office in acting capacity about 10 months ago.

“JAC affirmed that the evaluation and assessment of the performance of Capt. Chris Najomo so far, in line with President Tinubu’s policy coordination and delivery for all heads of agencies of government, can best be achieved by relying on feedback from the aviation industry stakeholder’s majority of whom have express plaudits for the current leadership at NCAA,” the unions said. The workers, who said aviation is a technical industry with no margin of error, noted that regulatory and oversight functions demand firm and professional leadership which cannot be subjected to political whims and caprices. “JAC believes that Nigeria having found a formula that works in its civil aviation regulatory leadership, should rationally embrace and build upon this formula in order to continue the repositioning of the industry into an hub of civil aviation in Africa, as led by the Minister of Aviation Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

“JAC therefore appeals to President Tinubu, and the Minister, to expedite the confirmation of the appointment of Capt. Najomo as the substantive Director-general of NCAA,” the unions said.

The Sun Nigeria