NiMet Strike Averted as Unions, Management Reach Agreement

Labour unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have suspended their planned strike following the intervention of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology. The decision was made at a meeting between NiMet management, the unions, and the Committee.

The Committee Chairman, Abiodun Akinlade Ishaq, read a communique stating that all issues raised by the unions would be addressed within four weeks. He emphasized the importance of finding a solution, stating, “We don’t see it as a crisis, we see it as a family matter. We don’t need to pretend that there is a tension in the country. Why the government is trying to put a lot of things in place, the masses are suffering and they are crying and crying to us and their crying reaches our ears.”

NiMet Director General, Professor Charles Anosike, appreciated the Committee’s intervention and assured that management is working to address the workers’ concerns. He stated, “The management is doing its best to ensure the payment of the arrears of the workers.”

The Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Sikiru Waheed, stated that the unions are committed to resolving the issues amicably. He said, “Nobody is interested in disturbing the peace at the workplace if the right thing is done. This issue has lingered for about four years now. And honestly speaking, Nimet staff have been one of the very patient staff among Nigerians workers, I have ever seen.”