Former Airways workers protest non-payment of N78bn benefit

Former workers of the defunct Nigerian Airways yesterday took over the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road protesting the delay in the payment of their severance benefits amounting to over N78 billion.

The protest organized by the Nigerian Airways branch of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), was however boycotted by the Elders’ Forum which described the demonstration as suspicious.

One of the elders of the Nigerian Airways, Capt. Dele Ore, who has been very vocal in pressing for the payment of the entitlement had earlier circulated a statement on social media asking members especially the elders to stay away from the session, accusing the NUP of failing to fight for the interest of the former workers in the last nine years they had been on the trenches fighting for the payment of their entitlement following the liquidation of the national carrier by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari had made success in the process of paying their entitlement which previous governments failed to do.

“NUP cannot represent my interest because their sudden concern is suspicious,” he said.

Despite the seeming division, the demonstration took place peacefully amidst heavy police presence from the Skypower Catering through the Airport road domestic terminal.

Hundreds of the workers filed out as early as 7:00 am defying the early morning rain, calling on the Ministries of Transport and Finance to expedite payment of their final entitlement.