Abuja - 16th September, 2022

Representatives from the National Executive Council (NEC) of Society of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance of Nigeria (SLAMEN) today met with the Regional Manager (RM), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at his Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja office complex.

Briefing correspondents shortly after the meeting, Engr Shadrach Ubah who led the SLAMEN representatives explained that "the meeting was the initiative of the National Executive Council of Society of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance of Nigeria (SLAMEN) led by Engr Iloeje Emmanuel (National President, SLAMEN) to familiarize and bring to notice the aims and objectives of SLAMEN".

He (Engr Shadrach Ubah) appreciated the reception received from the RM, FAAN and commended his efforts especially in the areas of infrastructure and security of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while noting that SLAMEN is aware of his efforts towards ensuring that passengers fly through Abuja Terminal without any hitch.

Engr Shradrach explained that SLAMEN which is a 'professional body' with its bill being deliberated at the National Assembly and not 'union' is an initiative to key into the Federal Government's vision to improve local content for craft-men in Nigeria, a situation where foreign expatriate take up jobs that can be done locally by Nigerian Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers is killing the moral of the man who ensures that the aircraft is in safe and airworthy condition before handing it over to the pilots to fly. "Foreigners are given jumbo pay in dollars with hotel accommodation and police security to do same jobs that our citizens are qualified to perform with meander salary, a situation where the Engineer to release the aircraft to service is grumbling to perform his duties as enshrined in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015)". The negligence of the Maintenance Section was one reason that affected the defunct Nigeria Airways.

SLAMEN encouraged the RM, FAAN to consider consistently sharing correspondence regarding activities of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in Abuja Airport and also consider including them in its yearly 'safety week program' so as to key into Safety Awareness Campaign organized by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); SLAMEN also used the opportunity to solicit for office space/land space for a secretariat within the Airport premises and finally requested to display SLAMEN banner at the Toll Gate.

The Regional Manager (RM), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammed while responding; onceagain welcome SLAMEN to his office and reiterated his full support for SLAMEN Activities, gave approval to allocate land space to SLAMEN for their secretariat within the Airport premises and promised to allocate an office to SLAMEN on completion of FAAN complex at Abuja Airport. He also approved display of SLAMEN banner at Abuja Airport Toll Gate free of charge since SLAMEN is a non profit organization. The RM, FAAN described the situation where jobs meant for qualified citizens are being taken over by foreigners as pathetic and encouraged diligent Qualified Engineers to continue to carryout their duties in the interest of safety stating that someday they will be recognized. He commended the activities of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers within Abuja Airport and wants them to maintain the safety culture in line with standard and recommended practices in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexes.

The courtesy visit ended with pleasantries and group photograph.



NAN Correspondent.