Jubilation as FG approves payment of harmonised salaries for NAMA workers

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

There was wild jubilations in the various offices of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) across Nigeria on Friday when news filtered in that the Federal Government has approved the much anticipated harmonisation and commencement of payment of salaries of NAMA workers in par with that of their counterparts in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The approval is coming following painstaking struggles by the agency workers under the different unions in the sector fifteen years after the plan to ensure good welfare and salaries of the workers was approved by the Salaries and Wages Commission.
Our correspondent who went round the offices around the Murtala Mohammad Airport in Lagos witnessed the joyful celebrations and dancing among staff in NAMA headquarters building, it annex at the local wing of the airport and those along as well offices at international wing of the airport.
Staff expressed gratitude to the management led by Captain Fola Akinkuotu for fast tracking the process.
Last November, the FG inaugurated a committee in NAMA to look at salaries and wages of other agencies with a view to harmonising them.
The seven man committee was headed by Executive Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering of the agency, Faruk Ahmed Umar.
Umar had said the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu saw the wisdom in addressing the challenge with the plan to enhance industrial harmony within the system as well as motivate workers.
Also speaking at the inauguration of the committee, Akinkuotu said, “A happy workforce enhances safety of the flying public.”
Some of the elated workers who spoke to Peoples Daily extolled the management for seeing the wisdom in bringing the matter to a joyful conclusion after lingering for over 15 years and one that has caused industrial crisis for a long time.