By Ignatius Ushie
The federal government of Nigeria has finally paid the outstanding 45-months minimum wage arrears owed to staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In a statement made available to Transport Day in Abuja, it was noted that the non-payment of the arrears, which dates back to 2019, has often pitted NiMet management against staff of the agency and the labour unions.
In May of this year, the unions planned to embark on industrial action on Monday, May 20, 2024. However, following an intervention by the House Committee on Aviation Technology and their Senate counterpart, the unions suspended the strike action after an agreement was reached on Sunday, May 19, 2024, during a special session convened by the House Committee on Aviation Technology led by the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Ishaq Akinlade, with NiMet management and representatives of the unions present.
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorising the payment of the arrears.
According to him, “Mr. President has demonstrated once again that he is a worker-friendly president. The issue of the unpaid 45-month wage arrears predates this administration, but still, Mr. President has cleared the outstanding. I wish to thank the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for the role he played. Also the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, and members of the Committee for their sacrifices and timely intervention.
“I wish to also thank the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, and the members of the Committee. I thank all others who played different roles in the process. Our expectations are that staff and the unions will show Mr. President appreciation by working hard and staying focused to ensure that NiMet continues to achieve its mandate.” he said.
Staff of NiMet, through the NiMet Unions Joint Action Committee (NJAC), have also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Aviation, and the DG/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike.
In a Press Release dated August 12, 2024, and signed by Comrade Okechukwu Nwokoro, Secretary, NJAC, and Branch President of SSASCGOC, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the unions expressed their profound gratitude for the collective intervention in ensuring the payment of the outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to NiMet staff from 2019 to 2022.
It said that “this significant action has greatly alleviated the financial challenges faced by our workforce and has renewed our hope and commitment to serving the nation with excellence”.
Continuing, the unions thanked Professor Charles Anosike, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, for his leadership and relentless pursuit of the welfare of NiMet staff.
“Your efforts to
advocate on behalf of the employees and ensure that these arrears reflect your deep commitment to the agency and its people. We are fortunate to have a leader who places such high value on the welfare and morale of his team. The resolution of this issue has not only eased the financial burden on NiMet staff, but has also strengthened our resolve to continue delivering high-quality meteorological services to the nation. We are motivated and inspired by your collective efforts and pledge”.
