Business
Aviation workers reject 20% deduction from agencies’ revenue, say sector in ‘coma’
Despite the federal government’s recent approval to reduce deductions from aviation agencies’ revenue from 50 percent to 20 percent, aviation workers have rejected the move — insisting that no deductions should be made.
In a memo on August 14, aviation union workers called on the federal government to discontinue the deduction of 50 percent in revenue generated by aviation agencies.
The workers had threatened to embark on a one-day strike protest on Wednesday, adding that agencies are “cost recovery, and not profit making organisations,” hence “cannot survive on half revenue”.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, had also asked the unions to stay calm while their demands were being looked into.
Less than 48 hours after the unions’ threat, President Bola Tinubu approved the reduction of deductions in aviation agencies’ internally generated revenue (IGR) from 50 percent to 20 percent.
But speaking to TheCable on Wednesday, Olayinka Abioye, general secretary of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), said the unions are yet to get a circular on the implementation of the president’s directive.
According to Abioye, a letter had been sent to the minister to intervene before the end of the month.
“It is a fact that aviation trade unions issued a statement that by Wednesday today, we shall embark on a rally across Nigerian airports but intelligence report suggested it wouldn’t be a wise thing to do,” he said.
“So we commuted that rally into a letter to the Honorable Minister, giving the Minister until the end of this month to intervene on this subject matter by getting the federal government involved to reverse the reduction of 50% imposed on all aviation agencies for very critical reasons.
“One of which is the fact that fundamentally aviation agencies under the federal ministry of aviation and aerospace development are not profit-making companies. They are agencies involved in critical safety and security issues.
“There are cost recovery agencies. So we are not making profit from the businesses we do, from the services we render. And that 50% has created so much trauma for the workers.
“We have not seen an official statement to this effect. We have not been officially served any letter or circular to that effect. And if we had been served, we would also have sent another letter congratulating the federal government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the honorable minister for doing a good job. But that has not come.”
‘AVIATION INDUSTRY IS IN COMATOSE’
When asked if the reduction would go a long way, the union general secretary said the 20 percent deduction ought not to exist.
According to Abioye, the aviation industry “is in comatose” and only a quick intervention can reverse the challenges faced within the sector.
“There is no need, there is absolutely no reason for any kobo being removed from our finances, not to talk of 20 percent or 10 percent or 5 percent,” the general secretary said.
“The international statute is very clear on this. Aviation money should rotate and should be ploughed back into aviation.
“Whatever aviation makes must remain in aviation because all the agencies require funds regularly for maintenance of infrastructures, for provision of infrastructures, for training, and retraining.
“One penny of that money should not be taken by the federal government, because the government has too much money, excesses, and that is why you see extravagances all over the place.
“In the midst of all this money flowing around, Nigerians are suffering. These are purely the issues.”
Abioye said the unions heard the appeal of the minister’s call for workers to remain calm, however, workers are “looking forward to the end of this month and expecting that something positive will come up”.
Business
APPLY: FIRS begins recruitment of senior managers, directors
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun its recruitment exercise for experienced professionals to fill specialised positions in the organisation.
Announcing various vacant roles on Monday, the FIRS said the recruitment exercise is part of its consolidation strategies.
The advertised positions include assistant manager and deputy manager roles in tax (investigation), PRS (research), public relations, and ICT (cybersecurity and AI management).
Other available roles are assistant manager and deputy manager in PRS (risk management), assistant manager and deputy manager in legal, and senior manager and assistant director roles in tax (audit).
“Applicants must have qualifications and relevant professional certificates as specified in the positions they are applying for and must also fulfill the following requirements,” the agency said.
“Applicant must possess Bachelor’s degree/HND with at least second class lower/lower credit.
“Applicant must have completed NYSC not later than 31st December 2017.
“Applicant for the position of assistant manager and deputy manager must not be more than 40 years of age while senior manager and assistant director must not be more than 45 as at 31st December 2024.”
The revenue agency said candidates must possess strong leadership and management skills, team spirit and ability to effectively delegate, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong Analytical skills.
“Knowledge of the Nigerian tax laws and appreciation of their application and understanding of the regulatory framework within which the FIRS operates,” the FIRS said.
“Knowledge of business/industry environment within which taxpayers operate.
“Ability to work as a regulator with the courage to ensure full compliance with laws.
“Interested candidates should apply via official FIRS career portal: careers.firs.gov.ng and or FIRS verified social media handles.”
The FIRS said the application portal will open on December 23, 2024, noting that the deadline for submissions is January 11, 2025.
The service advised applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying to ensure they meet all requirements and understand the qualifications needed for successful selection.
Business
UBA GMD calls for public-private partnership to accelerate economic growth
Oliver Alawuba, group managing director (GMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has called for public-private partnership (PPP) to accelerate economic growth.
Alawuba spoke on December 20 during the launch of the newly renovated departure section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, refurbished by UBA.
According to a statement on Sunday by the bank, the project, which signifies a transformative moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, shows UBA’s commitment to national development, highlighting the immense value of strategic PPPs.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders, including Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Olubunmi Kuku, managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Alawuba commended the collaboration that led to the execution of the project, emphasising the need for public and private institutions to come together to build and revamp the nation’s assets.
“This renovation is a testament of UBA’s belief in the transformative power of investing in national assets. By modernising our airports, we not only enhance infrastructure but also position Nigeria as a global hub for tourism, trade, and investment,” he said.
“Public-private partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when we unite for a shared vision of progress and investing in infrastructure catalyses economic growth, improves travel experiences, and creates opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
“The commissioning of the renovated departure section serves as a reminder of what strategic partnerships can achieve in driving national development and elevating Nigeria’s global standing.”
Business
Petrol to sell at N935/litre from today, says IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said that petrol is going to sell at N935 per litre beginning from Monday (today) based on the latest arrangement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
IPMAN’s National President, Maigandi Garima, said the reduction in Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price for petrol and the uniform arrangement being put in place, would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide, incurring a cost of N36 on logistics.
“Dangote refinery has brought another new arrangement of loading and pricing by which marketers would pay a fixed ex-depot price of N899.50k.
“The refinery is running a programme whereby it wants the fuel consumption across the country to be at the same rate. We are expecting the new arrangement to kick-start on Monday. Previously, the loading price was N970 per litre, but from Monday, petrol prices will drop to N935,” Garima stated.
The association also stated that over 30,000 of its members are set to commence petrol loading from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Port Harcourt Refining Company following the reduction of the ex-depot price of the product to N899 per litre.
This came as it was observed that the pump price of petrol dropped on Sunday to between N950 and N980 per litre in a few filling stations in Lagos including MRS, BOVAS and NNPC. However, the cost was above N1,000 per litre in many other outlets in the state.
But IPMAN promised on Sunday that the price would drop further, as it said the cost of petrol would reduce to N935 per litre in more filling stations by Monday (today) in view of Dangote refinery’s new arrangement.
Similarly, retail outlet owners under the auspices of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria have begun registration with MRS filling station to lift Dangote petrol at N935 per litre.
The IPMAN National Publicity officer, Chinedu Ukadike, and the PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed these during separate exclusive interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday.
The development came after intense pricing competition in the nation’s downstream sector, which triggered a price war between NNPCL and Dangote due to a reduction in the ex-depot price to N899 per litre.
On Saturday, the NNPCL, in a surprising development, slashed petrol prices by 12 per cent, to the delight of Nigerians and marketers.
This decision, coming days after the Dangote Refinery reduced its price to N899, was confirmed by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria in a statement on Saturday.
Before now, petrol prices had consistently increased, causing customers to worry that the price hike might be sustained during the festive season.
The reduction in price to N935 in Lagos confirms projections by marketers and was exclusively reported by The PUNCH last Friday.
Providing further updates on the preparations for product lifting, the IPMAN publicity officer stated that marketers are getting ready to start loading petrol at a reduced price, as the national oil company has updated its pricing on the purchase portal.
Ukadike also said that the competition for market share between NNPCL and Dangote is beneficial for Nigerians because, in the end, it will reveal the true cost of PMS production and the expenses incurred in logistics.
According to him, the price war is central to a deregulated oil sector.
He said, “NNPCL has changed their price at their portal. It means that everyone who has access to that portal can be able to request and pay for products. Once you pay, you will called to the depot to pick up your products. Yes, they have changed the price on their portal.”
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