FG pays N18bn arrears to 2,100 ex-airways staff

The Federal Government has settled N18 billion in unpaid severance benefits owed to 2,100 former Nigeria Airways staff, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele. During a recent press briefing in Abuja, Oyedele announced that an additional 600 beneficiaries would receive their payments soon. The government had been verifying the identities and bank details of all beneficiaries to ensure the payments reached legitimate recipients.

This was the final installment of payments to beneficiaries in batches one to seven, as the earlier eight and nine batches had already been finalized. Oyedele stated that the total payout would cover a total of 2,700 former employees of the defunct national carrier. He acknowledged that some of these individuals had passed away while awaiting their entitlements, leaving their families to pursue the payments.

Prior to the disbanding of Nigeria Airways, the government took extensive measures to confirm the identities and financial details of all beneficiaries. This process included biometric verifications and validation of personal and banking information. However, some cases still emerged where outdated information, incorrect bank details, or deceased beneficiaries required additional steps before payment could be made.

Beyond the severance payments, Oyedele also disclosed that the government was actively working to settle other outstanding obligations, including pension arrears and debts owed to indigenous contractors. The administration has shifted its approach to contractor debt settlement, prioritizing smaller contractors initially. This adjustment was made to ensure that more small and medium-sized businesses received their due payments rather than allowing government debts to linger unresolved.

Oyedele emphasized that the government aimed to resolve these financial commitments in a fair, transparent, and orderly manner as resources became available. The government also acknowledged the importance of setting realistic project goals and securing funding sources before making commitments. By taking these steps, the government hopes to build trust among contractors and beneficiaries in their payment obligations.