Ex- Airways workers, pensioners cry out over outstanding N36b severance benefits

 

Ex- Airways workers, pensioners cry out over outstanding N36b severance benefits 

.....After Tinubu's approval , Accountant General's office yet to implement payment 

Former workers and pensioners of Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL), yesterday cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to impress it on the office  the Accountant General of the Federation to implement the payment of the last tranche of their severance benefits amounting to N36B billion.

They said though Tinubu in June 2025 graciously approved the payment of the outstanding N36 billion, almost one year after the Presidential directive has still not been implemented.

Addressing a briefing in Lagos, a pilot and former director in the airline liquidated in 2004, Captain Prex Porbeni said over the years successive administrations have made promises, but reneged in keeping its word.

Porbeni said in the last 22 years , the former Airways workers and pensioners have gone through difficult times , unable to afford feeding and basic medical treatment.

He said several efforts have been made by aviation unions concerned organizations, national legislators and the supervising Ministry of to ensure the payment of the outstanding balance.

Porbeni said unfortunately, efforts in to get the payment made has not yielded the desired outcome.

Porbeni said the consequences of prolonged delay in the payment of the outstanding benefits have been devastating.

He said a significant number of the ex- Airways workers and pensioners are battling age- related illnesses such as hypertension,diabetes, arthritis and other health conditions which have been aggravated by economic realities and the rising cost of healthcare and medication .The

Porbeni said :" Sadly , the number of avoidable deaths among our members continue to increase , leaving families devastated and communities grieving. Many of the affected workers are now elderly citizens aged between 65 and 201 years. These men and women served Nigeria faithfully during  their active years as pilots , engineers and cabin crew and other professionals who helped to build the aviation industry.

" In June 2025, hope was rekindled when President Tinubu approved the payment. This news brought immense relief and renew hope to thousands of the affected families across Nigeria. However, it is with deep pain that we must inform the nation that nearly a year after the Presidential approval , the payment has still not been implemented.

" Many are unable to afford feeding and basic medical treatment, while others struggle daily to survive.

" We humbly call on the appropriate government agencies responsible for implementing this Presidential approval to expedite the immediate release and payment of the approved funds.'

Porbeni further said:" This is not merely a financial obligation , it is a matter of justice, compassion and national conscience. The men and women served Nigeria faithfully in their youth and frserve dignity and relief in the evening of their lives. Our members are aging, suffering and sadly , many are dying by the day . We remain hopeful that the government will act swiftly to ensure that the approved payment is implemented without further delay ."

Former Airways workers, representing over five thousand employees, have been rendered redundant following the liquidation of the national carrier in 2004.

Porbeni said:" We hope that this cry will support the struggles our unions have been in for the past twenty two years. Following the liquidation, negotiations were held between airline unions and the Federal Government. At the conclusion of those negotiations, it was agreed that all staff both serving employees at the time liquidation and existing pensioners would receive a one - off severance calculated to represent 15 years of each officer's salary as a final settlement of their benefits and emoluments. 

" The total agreed amount of this settlement was N78 billion . Over the years , successive administrations made partial payments towards this obligations. However, by that time those payments ended , the outstanding balance stood at approximately N36 billion."