
The Federal Government has paid 45 months’ minimum wage arrears to workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary of the Nimet Union Joint Action Committee, Okechukwu Nwokoro.
There had been tension between the NIMT management and its employees due to non-payment of dues since 2019, leading to frequent clashes with labour unions.
The situation almost escalated to industrial action earlier this year, as unions planned to go on strike on May 20, 2024.
However, the attack was averted at the last minute following intervention by the House Committee on Aviation Technology and their Senate counterpart.
On May 19, 2024, during a special session organised by the House Committee on Aviation Technology chaired by its Chairman, Abiodun Akinlade, an agreement was reached with the NiMet management and union representatives in attendance.
Director-General of Nimet, Professor Charles Anosike, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for authorising the payment of the outstanding dues.
“Mr President has once again proved that he is a worker-friendly President. The issue of the 45-month salary arrears predates this administration but nevertheless, Mr President has paid the arrears.
“I want to thank the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN for his role. Also the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Abiodun Akinlade, and members of the committee for their sacrifice and timely intervention.
“I also want to thank the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, and members of the committee. I thank everyone who played different roles in this process.
“We hope that the workers and the union will show their gratitude to Mr President by working hard and staying focused to ensure that NIMET continues to achieve its mandate,” Anosike said.
Nimet workers represented by the Nimet Unions Joint Action Committee also expressed their appreciation to Tinubu, Keyamo and other government officials for the payment.
The unions expressed gratitude for the collective intervention in ensuring payment of minimum wages dues to NIMET employees from 2019 to 2022.
“This significant action has significantly relieved the financial challenges faced by our workforce and renewed our hope and commitment to serve the nation with excellence,” it said.
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