CHUKS OKOH,
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN’s) Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) units recruited in 2016/2017, have condmned what they called unequal treatment, treatment, career stagnation, and abuse of office that have affected their ranks, progression, and welfare.
They are calling on the management of FAAN to intervene and address the issue for peace to reign in the organisation
According to the affected anonymous personnel, most of them were mandated to submit their OND/SSCE despite possessing HND/B.Sc. degrees during their employment, which they complied with.
Years after, their higher qualifications have not been recognized leaving them stagnated despite being more qualified and more experienced than those being recruited after them
Meanwhile, officers recruited from 2019–2023, who faced the same entry restrictions, were later allowed to resubmit their HND/B.Sc. and upgraded to higher ranks and their qualification backdated to point of entry.
They were placed above their seniors both in seniority and remunerations. This has reversed hierarchy, caused injustice, and destroyed morale of the people they met
It was further gathered that conversion was done which did not affect the personnel already reached GL-8 as it did not change rank or salary without correcting the entry injustice
While the 2019–2023 officers received full upgrades, not conversion, their qualifications were reviewed at point of entry which has given them edge over the 2016/2017 batch.
It was further gathered that they were allegations that some senior officials (GMs/Directors) have used their positions to sexually intimidate female officers seeking help with their upgrades.
This it was learned has caused resignations by some who could not cope with the trauma and emotional distress.
To verify fairness, personnel files of AVSEC/ARFFS officers recruited 2016–2018 and 2019–2023 and records showing entry qualifications, dates of conversion/upgrades, approval memos for the 2019–2023 upgrade exercise, p
romotion histories and comparison of treatment should be called for.
An anonymous top labour leader in one of the unions in the industry who confirmed the practice disclosed that they are awaiting for briefing from the affected personnel to meet with the FAAN management to resolve the differences
“I am aware of it and they have not come to us, but once we get their petition, we will schedule a meeting with the Managing Director”
Contacted, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection FAAN, Mr Henry Agbebire, promised to get back to our aviation editor but never did after 24 hours.
