…Minimum Wage, Salary Arrears, Allowances to Be Addressed Before May 13 — Keyamo
Relief came Thursday night as unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) agreed to suspend their industrial action following a breakthrough meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who pledged immediate steps to address their demands.
The strike, which entered its second day, had disrupted key operations across the nation’s aviation sector. But after over four hours of negotiations involving union leaders, ministry officials, NiMET and NCAA management, and the Permanent Secretary, the unions agreed to pause the action until May 13, 2025, pending implementation of resolutions.
Keyamo, addressing journalists after the meeting, acknowledged the unions’ concerns as mostly issues of implementation delays and communication gaps. He promised to personally intervene, including writing the President and Finance Minister to expedite approvals.
“We have agreed that I will immediately write to Mr. President and show the unions the acknowledgement copy by Monday or Tuesday. On the minimum wage, NiMET staff will begin receiving the new wage from their next allowance,” he assured.
Comrade Aba Ocheme, National Secretary of NUATE, and Comrade Alale Adedayo, National President of ANAP, confirmed the union’s decision to suspend the strike out of respect for the minister’s sincerity and commitment to resolving their grievances.
The union’s demands included the implementation of the 2019 and 2024 consequential adjustments, immediate payment to 30 staff previously omitted, salary relativity, hardship allowances
