The Federal Government has paid the outstanding 45-month minimum wage arrears owed to employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary of NiMet Union Joint Action Committee, Okechukwu Nwokoro.
The unpaid debts, which date back to 2019, have caused conflict between NiMet management and employees and have frequently resulted in disputes with trade unions.
With the unions preparing to go on strike on May 20, 2024, the situation came dangerously close to turning into industrial action earlier this year.
However, the strike was averted at the last minute following an intervention by the House Committee on Aviation Technology and their Senate counterpart.
An agreement was reached on May 19, 2024, during a special session convened by the House Committee on Aviation Technology, led by its Chairman, Abiodun Akinlade, with NiMet management and union representatives in attendance.
The Director-General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for authorising the payment of the arrears.
According to him, this significant action has greatly alleviated the financial challenges faced by the workforce and has renewed the hope and commitment of NIMET to serving the nation with excellence.
