Ex-Nigeria Airways workers begin receiving outstanding severanc

Former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways have begun receiving outstanding severance benefits, bringing fresh relief to retirees who have waited for years for the settlement of their entitlements.

National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade John Ogbe, disclosed this in an interview, saying the payments were being made in batches and expressing confidence that the process would be completed shortly.

Ogbe commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for efforts towards resolving the long-standing issue.

According to him, the former workers had endured significant hardship while waiting for their outstanding entitlements.

“These outstanding payments, severance package payments, have been a long-standing issue. We thank God that when the President came on board, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he gave a provisional approval last year, and today, the money has started rolling in,” Ogbe said.

He said some former Nigeria Airways workers had already received their payments, while others were expected to benefit as subsequent batches are processed.

Ogbe described the development as a victory for the union and its former members, stressing that many of the affected workers remained connected to ATSSSAN.

“Justice delayed cannot be denied. Nigeria Airways workers are happy that where they have worked, their money has started coming in,” he said.

The ATSSSAN president also commended Keyamo, whom he described as a catalyst in accelerating the process, as well as the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for their roles in facilitating the payments.

“We want to commend the President of the nation. We want to commend Professor Keyamo, who catalyzed to speed up this payment process. And we also want to commend the office of the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation,” he said.

Ogbe said the development was particularly significant because the former Nigeria Airways employees had remained within the union’s organisational structure despite the airline’s collapse.

“It is victory for ATSSSAN because most of the Nigeria Airways staff belonged to the union till today. We still hold exco members of Nigeria Airways in ATSSSAN. So, I see it as a fulfilment; I feel fulfilled with the payment of the severance package to workers of Nigeria Airways,” he said.

The commencement of the payments represents an important stage in the government’s efforts to resolve outstanding liabilities owed to former employees of the defunct national carrier.

Nigeria Airways, once the country’s flagship airline, ceased operations in 2003 after years of financial and operational difficulties. Its former employees have since been pursuing outstanding entitlements arising from the airline’s liquidation.

The latest development is expected to ease some of the financial pressures that have continued to affect retirees of the former airline and marks progress on an issue that has remained unresolved for several years.

While the payments are being made in batches, ATSSSAN expressed optimism that all eligible former workers would ultimately receive their outstanding severance benefits.