Ex-airways workers protest non- payment of released N45bn severance package

Former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways yesterday, staged a protest at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, following what they called the prolonged delay and uncertainty over the payment of the N45bn pension approved for them last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ex workers blocked the road linking the International wing with the domestic terminals of MMA causing traffic gridlock on the ever busy road.

The protesters singing solidarity song with different placards demand explanation from the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun on why their pension approved since May last year has not been paid.

The protest kicked off from the Skypower Catering Service with hundreds of members participating.

They were earlier addressed by their leaders including the Chairman of Nigeria Airways’ branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Sam Ezene and Engr. Lukman Animasahun.

Nzene said the protest would move to Abuja after Wednesday, if nothing was heard from the government on the status of their payment.

“The Minister (of Finance, Kemi Adeosun) keeps insisting that National Assembly has to approve it; and we went to the National Assembly, but they said there is nothing on Nigeria Airways at the National Assembly. That is what we have been dragging since September,” he said.

The placards read, “President Buhari, save us from Kemi Adeosun now”; ” Mrs Adeosun, your action and inactions are man’s inhumanity to man”; “Madam Minister of finance, where is our pension and entitlements, pay us now”; among others.

Also speaking, Comrade Andrew Inalegu regretted that despite all the promises by the federal government to get their severance benefits before December last year, nothing has been done.

Inalegu noted that over 800 ex workers of the airline have died as a result of their inability to access medical facilities.

He declared that the proposed national carrier will not be realistic unless all issues concerning the ex workers were resolved.

According to him, the ghost of ex workers of Nigeria Airways were hunting the government in aviation sector.

Inalegu said they will be moving to Abuja for another round of protest to get their money released.

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo