Information gathered by Sahara Reporters indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari may have give nod for the commencement of the final payment of the severance packages of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways.
The process for the payment of N22.5bn, representing 50 per cent of the total packages for about 6,000 workers of the former national carrier, commenced last October, while the payment was effected in December.
The government had promised to commence the payment of the remaining 50 per cent four months later, which was in February, but was yet to do so.
It was gathered that the immediate past Minister of Finance, Hadjia Zainab Ahmed on Monday before handing over on Wednesday secured the approval of President Buhari for the commencement of the payment.
The President of Aviation Union Grand Alliance (AUGA), Engr. Lukman Animashaun, confirmed the development to our correspondent in an email.
He confirmed that Ahmed secured the approval of Buhari on Monday, adding that the union leaders had commenced work immediately to ensure the payment to the workers.
He said: “With this cheering development, the union leadership have commenced work expeditiously towards ensuring prompt implementation. On behalf of WT (the call sign of Nigeria Airways) family, the union leadership is full of thanks to Mr. President, President Mohammed Buhari, the Hon. Min. of Finance and the Min. of State for Aviation, for graciously putting smiles on the faces of all WT Family once again.
“We equally hope, pray and look forward to the return of the Hon. Min. of Finance, Hadjia Zainab Ahmed and the Min. of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to the next administration's cabinet for the continuation of their great service to this great Country.”
Just on Tuesday night, the convey of Hajia Amhed was blocked by some protesting staff of the former national carrier who claimed that they were omitted in the payment of the first batch by the government.
The protesters had barricaded the entrance to the main gate and prevented the minister from leaving the premises.
Speaking on behalf of the ex-employees of defunct Nigeria Airways, the Chairman, Nigeria Airways pensioners, Sam Nzene, said some of his colleagues were left out in the first tranche of 50 per cent paid last year due to non-capturing of their data.
While admitting that it was not the fault of the government, he said notice was sent out to pensioners that missed out during capturing to come for another round of the exercise on Monday, May 27, 2019.
Animashaun, however, said that those yet to collect the earlier 50 per cent payment were the next-of-kin to some of the deceased staff.
He explained that most of them just got their letter of administration, stressing that the mop up exercise that was supposed to start on the 27th through 29th May couldn't get off as planned until Tuesday.
He insisted that everyone that had done verification before now had received their money, adding that the last batch (batch six), including those failed transactions from the first batch have all been paid.