Former Minister of Transport, Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (retd.), has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the settlement of workers’ entitlements, particularly the payment of salaries and benefits owed to workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
Porbeni, who served as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in 1994, described the intervention as a demonstration of concern for the welfare of Nigerians, who devoted their productive years to public service.
In a statement made available to reporters at the weekend, Porbeni said the payment would provide the much-needed relief to ex-Nigeria Airways employees, many of whom had endured prolonged financial difficulties while waiting for the benefits they were entitled to receive.
Federal Government recently began the payment of N18 billion in outstanding benefits to 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, 2,100 beneficiaries in batches one to seven had received their payments, while another 600 beneficiaries in batches eight and nine were being processed for payment.
Porbeni recalled his involvement in the preparation and publication of a White Paper report on the airline in 1995, disclosing that investigation into the activities of Nigeria Airways was led by the late Major-General David Jemibewon (retd.).
He said the report, which was subsequently submitted to the Provisional Ruling Council, revealed widespread abuse of Nigeria Airways’ facilities by federal ministries and parastatals.
‘Government ministries and agencies utilised the national carrier’s services without proper accounting or reimbursement, a practice that significantly contributed to the eventual collapse of the airline,’ he said.
Nigeria Airways was liquidated in 2003, leaving thousands of former workers pursuing outstanding entitlements for years.
The latest intervention follows repeated appeals and assurances by successive administrations.
Describing President Tinubu’s action as a demonstration of genuine concern for the welfare of retired and serving public servants, the former naval officer urged the Federal Government to sustain the momentum across all sectors.
He noted that the long-awaited payment would bring much-needed relief to thousands of former Nigeria Airways workers and their families, who had endured years of hardship.
The former minister advised the Federal Government to strengthen mechanisms for the prompt settlement of retirement and other statutory benefits, noting that employees who dedicated their productive years to national service should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty after retirement.