The Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) is on the brink of taking drastic action that could potentially disrupt aviation operations in Nigeria. The reason behind this looming crisis is the Federal government’s controversial policy of deducting 50 per cent of internal revenue from Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs) as well as government-owned enterprises.

In a recent communique following a National Executive Council meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, ATSSSAN made it clear that they are not willing to sit back and accept this policy without a fight. The association is calling for aviation agencies to be exempted from this deduction, citing the fact that these agencies are not profit-driven entities. They argue that depriving them of a significant portion of their internally generated revenue would severely impact their ability to fulfill their crucial safety and security mandates.

ATSSSAN issued a stern warning to the federal government, stating that if they do not reconsider their stance and continue with the deduction, they will have no choice but to instruct all aviation workers to go on strike. This move could potentially bring aviation operations in the country to a grinding halt, causing chaos and disruptions for travelers and the industry as a whole.

This latest development comes on the heels of the government’s decision last year to implement the 50 per cent internally generated revenue deduction from federal government-owned enterprises. The aviation industry is already facing significant financial challenges due to the ongoing global pandemic, and this additional burden could push them over the edge.

As the situation escalates, all eyes are on the government to see how they will respond to ATSSSAN’s ultimatum. Will they reconsider their policy and avert a potentially disastrous strike, or will they stand firm and risk the consequences of a crippled aviation sector? Only time will tell.