NAAPE commends NCAA‘s refusal for Azman Air to hire expatriate pilots, Engineers

By Yesirat Kazeem

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has commended the patriotism of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in carrying out its safety oversight on Azman Air and particularly for ensuring that Nigerian Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are considered first in employment in line with expatriates quota laws.

NAAPE is reacting based on the events of the week which were further heightened by a letter generated on WhatsApp, intended to ridicule the regulatory authority and cast doubt on its functions in the airline’s case.

NAAPE also decried the ugly situation where airlines instead of getting their act right choose to vindictive and start a blackmail rumour.

The statement signed by the NAAPE President, Abednego Galadima read: “We, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) have read with total dismay the unbelievable response of Azman Air to the legitimate and professional regulatory safety oversight function performed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on its operations.

“It is unfortunate that Azman air chooses to view the action through a parochial prism. The sentiments expressed by the airline are unnecessary and unhelpful to the critical safety issues raised by the authority, given the cited myriads of incontrovertible safety breaches.

“Again, to interpret the patriotic NCAA act of ensuring that Nigerian Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are considered first in employment in line with expatriates quota laws and executive order No 5 as vindictive is to demonstrate crass disdain for our laws.

“A situation where the operators intimidate/blackmail the regulator or try to write its own regulation or are in a cosy relationship with the regulator should never be allowed in the Nigerian aviation sector.

NAAPE continued commending the NCAA leadership calling on the aviation community and well-meaning Nigerians to support the regulator in its onerous task of ensuring the safety and security of the airspace and equipment, “We, therefore, commend NCAA under the leadership of Capt Musa Nuhu as DG and pass a vote of confidence on his stewardship since he assumed office in February 2020.