NAAPE distances self from opposition to proposed NCAA funding cut

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has distanced itself from a statement opposing the proposed reduction in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) share of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge.

NAAPE said the position did not originate from its National Executive Council (NEC).

In a statement issued in Abuja, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said the position expressed by the branch should not be regarded as the official stance of the association on the proposed amendment to the statutory revenue-sharing formula for aviation agencies.

“The National Executive Council of NAAPE wishes to state clearly that the position being circulated in the media did not emanate from the national leadership and should not be presented as the official position of the association,” Gindeh said.

The clarification follows recent reports quoting NAAPE as warning that reducing the NCAA’s statutory allocation from 56 per cent to 40 per cent could weaken aviation safety oversight, undermine the financial independence of the regulator and affect its ability to discharge its oversight responsibilities.

The earlier statement, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NCAA Branch, had urged lawmakers to reject the proposed reduction and instead consider increasing the regulator’s statutory allocation.

However, Gindeh said the branch exceeded its mandate by making public pronouncements on a national policy issue without recourse to the association’s established structures.

According to him, NAAPE operates a clearly defined governance structure in which branch executive committees are responsible for managing the affairs and welfare of members within their respective organisations, while matters relating to national policy, legislative engagement and sector-wide issues fall within the purview of the National Executive Council.

Also commenting, NAAPE’s Public Relations Officer, Engr. Blessing N. Ahmadu, said the clarification became necessary because media reports portrayed the NCAA Branch’s position as that of the entire association.

“The NCAA Branch did not seek or obtain the authorisation of the National Executive Council before issuing the statement. Its contents, therefore, cannot be attributed to the national leadership of NAAPE,” she said.

Ahmadu urged the media and aviation stakeholders to distinguish between statements issued by branch executives and official positions approved by the association’s national leadership.