Speaking at Quarterly General  meeting   in Lagos,its President,Chukwuka Iloeje also appeal to the regulatory Agency to ensure strict compliance of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation and intensify more surveillance on Expatriate Quota .This is to guard  against flouting the law.

Iloeje frowned   at the situation where foreign engineers are employed to perform aircraft maintenance while local engineers are roaming the streets.

Iloeje urged  the NCAA to open a channel for anonymous reporting of violations to avoid fears of reporting or victimisation of reporters.

He implored  employers of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers such as Airlines and Maintain Repair and Overhaul (MROs) to make it a priority to train and use Nigerian licenced engineers for their various purposes rather than giving prominence to employing foreigners.

This, he posited employers should see as their own positive contribution towards developing Nigeria’s economy

The President while  appreciating employers for providing Aircraft Maintenance Engineers(AMEs) the opportunity to practice their  profession and  also meet their societal obligations, he however appealed to them to  continue to give due recognition to the importance of the profession as provided for in the Nig. CARs and NCAA-approved company manuals.

“Provide the required tools, spares, and equipment. Maintain good working conditions for licensed engineers to perform optimally. Pay engineers good salaries that are commensurate with the very high responsibility bestowed on us by our duty. Our families need to be very comfortable for us to always be in the right frame of mind to perform safely and efficiently.

On the profession, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, the SLAMEN President, informed that it is recognised worldwide, by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to airlines and passengers as very critical to aviation.

He argued that after the manufacturer of aircraft, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are next in the ladder

“We occupy the next step in the next ladder of safety. A pilot cannot embark on a flight without the Certificate of Release to Service being issued by an appropriately rated Licensed Engineer”.

“No passenger will  board an aircraft if he knows that it is not well maintained and  not airworthy.”

“ We are therefore required to be people of high integrity, reliable sense of purpose, and excellent performers of our duty.”

He advised members to perform their functions excellently and not be found wanting, urging them to be conversant with the provisions of Nig. CARs, relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manuals and other requirements.

“Perform our duties to always give confidence to the occupants of the aircraft. Let us work hard to help our companies minimize delays and flight cancellations, improve financial standing and grow the businesses,” he advised.

“ SLAMEN is not a union,  prior to the birth of SLAMEN, the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) had effectively carried out both professional and trade union functions but that  was when the liquidated Nigeria Airways started sliding towards being moribund under the military government.”

Those  roles could not be effectively performed as the military perceived NAAPE as just an opposing trade union.”