Fear Envelops Ministry, Agencies As FG Sacks 187

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

Following the sack of over 187 staffers of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the suspension of two of its Directors, by the federal government, the Ministry of Aviation, including its agencies' over 830 members of staff have been gripped by palpable fear as they await the final outcome of the audit report constituted by the  minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka, THISDAY can confidently report.

The ministry’s agencies are: the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NCAA, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) the Nigeria College Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).

A senior official of one of the agencies, who spoke under anonymity with THISDAY on telephone on Saturday said the palpable fear gripping the agency is becoming obvious, adding that there is visible fear at the agency as staff are even afraid of going on their annual leave to enable them keep an eye on emerging wind of sack at the ministry.

He said the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has created more fears within the industry, adding that the news going round is that all the agencies have been directed to shed weight.

Details later