- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) Workers have embarked on indefinite nationwide strike, halting all meteorological services across the country.
This was disclosed in posts shared on X on Wednesday.
According to reports, the industrial action commenced at 7am, with NiMet staff and members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) staging peaceful demonstrations at various agency locations, including airports.
Speaking over the reason for the agitation, AUPCTRE’s Secretary, Paul Ogohi, harped on the dire conditions faced by agency workers.
Ogohi decried the financial challenges and health implications faced by the Agency’s staff on account of their job.
“Unprecedented deaths are occurring in NiMet, as if we are chickens. Nearly 70 percent of our staff forecasters have high blood pressure. Ninety per cent no longer have good vision, because we are constantly working to observe the aerodrome.
“We have eye defects. It is unbearable. Some of us are taking loans to pay school fees, rent, and even to come to work,” he said.
Meanwhile, the AUPC Secretary slammed local airlines over failure to halt operation in solidarity with the staff as observed by their foreign counterparts.
“Other international airlines have parked and are keeping strictly to the regulations of ICAO.
“British Airways has complied, and Qatar Airways has also suspended operations. But the problem we are facing is with Nigerian airlines and their pilots.
“These rules are meant to govern aviation operations, but we, the locals, are the ones violating these standards. It’s not right,” Ogohi said.
He, however, called for urgent government intervention.
“We are appealing to the Minister to please come to our aid. We are seeing changes, but those changes should extend to NiMet because we are suffering.” he added.
Reacting to the strike, Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed that dialogue with the unions is imminent.
“The NCAA is going into a meeting with the unions soon. However, NAMA is currently providing auxiliary services.
“You should know that in aviation, safety comes first. So, if there is any threat to operations at this moment, nobody will be allowed to fly. Rest assured,” Achimugu stated.