National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has predicted that the proposed airline,NG Eagle will run into murky waters because of its perfidious and lack of proper foundation by its prime movers.

Addressing union members at the premises of Arik Air at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos,NUATE General Secretary,Ocheme Aba,said that what should ordinarily be a lofty project will likely run into a heavy storm being created by a thoroughly fouled and convoluted industrial atmosphere at Arik Air.

“We consider it most unfortunate that an odd combination of Asset Management Company of Nigeria’s (AMCON) egoistic, evasive and self-deafiting tendencies on the one hand,and Arik Air’s unrelenting penchant for courting crisis on the other hand,as well as severally demonstrated lack of capacity/disdain for labour relations practice have evoked a perplexing atmosphere, of forlornness in the Airline”

According to Aba,under this atmosphere, it is practically impossible to be hopeful of any good thing hence is our misgiving concerning NG Eagle.

He said that presently,AMCON is in receivership of two airlines,Arik Air and Aero Contractors being a 60% share holder in the latter,why AMCON should be floatint another airline.We smell a right.

“We decipher that AMCON’S unstated objective is to open a window of business opportunity as a way to recoup its heavy financial losses through the heavy debts in Arik and Aero.But,surely,NUATE can’t be the only ones wondering what sort of business ingenuity there could be in running three airlines simultaneously.”

“We have it on good authority that AMCON’S real intention is to sidestep the debt overhang,particularly in Arik Air,while continuing to make money from the airline business without any real capital injection.This it intends to achieve by moving all valuable assets of Arik Air,including human asset,into the new NG Eagle.The questions are what becomes of the carcass of Arik Air and its personnel after such evil wind.”

“Presently,AMCON has already moved some personnel of Arik Air to NG Eagle while being loudly silent on the service records of such personnel in Arik Air.What happens to the previous years of service,or how assured is the security of such service in their new assignments? Or shall such service be in vain.?”

“AMCON and management of Arik Air have arrogated to themselves the power to probate and reprobate on all issues pertaining to status of employees in this ingenious business melodrama, with complete disregard to subsisting collective bargaining agreements and relevant labour laws.Is NUATE expected to cheer them on to the neglet of its responsibilities and obligations to its members in the airlines?”

The General Secretary said that if this conundrum  by AMCON would lead to depopulation of the employed and increase in poverty, as was clearly established, shouldn’t one wonder why  the government and its relevant agencies appear to either be acquiescent or in actual aid of the furtherance of the obnoxious objective.”Are we permitted to ask of our leaders the rationale behind the unhibited aiding and abetting of this social economic criminality?”

“While committing the societal aspects of this blazen effrontery to the court of public opinion,and urging urgent intervention by appropriate government agencies,Ministry of Labour,Ministry of Aviation,NigerianCivil Aviation Authority,we have raised the labour aspects before the Management of Arik Air as trade disputes.”

“Should the Management raise itself to the needed open mindedness and heartedness,then we are willing and desirous of resolving them amicably as expected of progressive social partners.Then,we shall welcome NG Eagle with our Solidarity Song and pop champagne.”