The chairman, house committee on aviation, Mr. Nnolim Nnaji, has appealed to airlines and private organisations in the aviation sector not to abandon their staff in this period of uncertainty occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawmaker said in an interview that he was disturbed by the memo issued by Max Air to its staff to the effect that it would not pay them salary during the two-week lockdown directed by the federal government.
“The memo which has now gone viral further stressed that the state of no pay would extend if the situation persisted and my major worry is that other organisations may do same if care is not taken,” he said.
He appealed to the management of the airline to reconsider the hard line posture by reviewing its action.
Nnaji equally urged other organisations in the sector to “see this trying period as a time of sacrifice and show extreme compassion to their staff.
“I am aware that elsewhere, governments are providing palliatives for employers of labour to cushion the impact of this pandemic but because of our peculiar circumstances the federal government may not immediately offer such at the moment.”
He expressed optimism that some form of relief would come in the end to assist the airlines.
He also urged the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sariki to step in and hold talks with the various stakeholders in the industry to avoid the ripple effects of Max Air’s action.
On the aborted reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu before Easter as planned, the lawmaker sued for understanding among the people and leaders of the southeast region.
He explained that the development was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the workers of both the contractor and consultants handling the project out of site.
He assured that as soon as the prevailing pandemic eased, work would resume at accelerated speed and new date of commissioning of the airport would be unveiled.
