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 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).

NAAPE in a statement yesterday by its President, Bunmi Gindeh, said the position did not receive the approval of its National Executive Council (NEC).

Gindeh said the statement, which was attributed to NAAPE was issued by the NCAA Branch of the union and should not be regarded as the official position of the national leadership.

Gindeh explained that the clarification followed reports quoting NAAPE as opposing plans to alter the current revenue-sharing formula of the aviation agencies, particularly the proposed reduction of the NCAA’s allocation from 56 per cent to 40 per cent of the TSC.

The NCAA Branch had argued that reducing the regulator’s statutory funding could affect its ability to effectively carry out safety oversight functions and weaken its financial independence.

The branch also called on lawmakers to reject the proposal and consider increasing the regulator’s allocation.

However, the national leadership of NAAPE said the intervention was made without the authorisation of the NEC and fell outside the mandate of a branch executive committee.

Gindeh insisted branch executives were primarily responsible for handling the welfare and affairs of members within their respective workplaces, while national policy matters remained the responsibility of the association’s central leadership.

He said: “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 explained that the union operates a structured system with clearly defined roles for its national and branch executives.

Also speaking, NAAPE’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Blessing Ahmadu, said the clarification became necessary because the media reports portrayed the branch statement as the collective position of the entire association.

She stressed that there was a clear distinction between a statement issued by a branch and the official position of the NEC.

NAAPE’s leadership also cautioned its branches against making public pronouncements on national policy issues without following established internal procedures.

The association maintained that while branches and members have the right to raise concerns affecting their professional interests, issues bordering on wider aviation policies must go through the appropriate national organs before being presented as the union’s official position.

NAAPE declared that it would continue to engage the Federal government, aviation agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders on issues affecting aviation professionals and the growth of the industry.

It maintained that any official position on the proposed amendment to the statutory revenue-sharing formula would be communicated by the National Executive Council through authorised channels.