NCAA Clarifies Sack of Directors

Chinedu Eze

There are indications that not all the Directors at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were sacked on Friday when the Federal Government dissolved the management of the agency.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that one of the Directors was not given sack letter and that was Captain Abdullahi Sidi, while government rescinded the sack of the Director of Consumer Protection Directorate, Adamu Abdullahi and the Director of General Aviation, Captain Ayodele Sasegbon.

Informed sources from the agency told THISDAY that the letters to the latter were issued in error and the Ministry of Transport had directed the Director General of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman to withdraw the letters.

With their reinstatement and retention of Captain Sidi, government may have sacked only five Directors out of existing eight, as two directorates before the sack did not have Directors because those in charge of them had retired and these include Dr. Joyce Nkemakolam (Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards) and Mr. Emmanuel Ogunbami (Director of Licensing).

With this new development, those affected by the sack include Alhaji Salawu Ozigi (Director of Finance and Accounts), Aba Ejembi (Director of Administration), Benedict Adeyileka (Director of Airworthiness), Mr. Justus Wariya (Director of Air Transport Regulation), and Mr. Austin-Amadi Ifeanyi (Director of Human Resources).

THISDAY learnt that one of the Directors sacked had been there for eight years and each of those relieved of their duties had served minimum of four years and according to the condition of service in the industry, maximum number of years for Directors is four years after which the position is renewed.

“These appointments are political and they do not have defined tenure; although in the industry directorate positions are for four years after which they are renewed. So they could be said to be disengaged; not sacked. But by Monday they will be given papers. The disengagement letters have been approved to be given to them,” said informed agency source.