BIODUN AKOMOLAFE
The management of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said it has not violated extant rules in respect of the secondment and appointing into position of President of Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Mr. Benjamin Okewu in the organisation.
The view of the management of air accident bureau wa made known in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi.
Reacting to the secondment of Okewu from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria to Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and placement or ‘elevation’ the AIB management which affirmed that secondment is a normal exercise in the civil service insisted it has not placed Mr. Okewu in an underserved position ”2even as the management has not violated extant rules on secondment”.
It explained that the salary structure of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria is different from that of the regular civil service being a part of the tertiary education salary structure where the highest grade level is CONTEDIS 15 for a director while the civil service salary structure, which AIB operates, terminates at Grade Level 17 for a General Manager.
It added that Okewu was due for promotion as at January 2016. AIB could not promote him but only asked him to cover the duties of the Head of Human Resources in acting capacity as AGM (GL 15 or CONTEDIS 13).
It however added that the management decided to place Okewu in Human Resources based on his immense experience from planning and industrial relations which is considered a plus for his new assignment.
The management frowns at NAAPE meddling in the internal affairs of AIB and urge it to concentrate on working for the improvement of its members’ welfare. Trade unions should not fan embers of disunity but work for cohesion and team work in establishments where they are represented.
It would be recalled that some union members petitioned the ministry of Transportation alleging that the new position accorded Okewu at AIB was not in line with the provision of the extant law regarding deployment and promotion in the civil service.
