Aviation unions ask Tinubu to cancel airport concession process

A fresh row is imminent over the proposed concession of some airports as aviation unions yesterday called on President Bola Tinubu to cancel the ongoing concession process of  airports across the country.  Speaking during a congress held at freedom square near the Lagos Airport, the union leaders described the exercise as a deceit as workers […]

A fresh row is imminent over the proposed concession of some airports as aviation unions yesterday called on President Bola Tinubu to cancel the ongoing concession process of  airports across the country. 

Speaking during a congress held at freedom square near the Lagos Airport, the union leaders described the exercise as a deceit as workers are not being carried along.

Daily Trust however reports that the unions’ position contradicts with the assurance of the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who disclosed that the unions are being carried along in the concession process.

Just last week, Keyamo who briefed state house correspondents after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting said unions are being carried along.

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He said, “In a major shift toward private sector involvement in airport management, FEC also approved the full business case for the 30-year concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

“The concession includes the completion and operation of the airport’s cargo terminal by a private consortium.”

He however reassured stakeholders that the process had been transparent and inclusive, particularly with regard to labour unions.

“I am not someone who ignores the unions. From the very start, I directed that they must be part of the committee,” he said, stressing that labour representatives have been fully involved in the concession process.

But the President of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue, countered the Minister, saying the concession process has not been transparent.

He said, “They should start afresh, so that the whole Nigerians that want to participate in the ownership of the airport will participate. And all the airports have to come together, weigh them, and know their value”. 

He stated that the unions are not aware of the process being used for the concession process while calling for the resolution of all labour issues before delving into concession.

“So we just want the world to know that before any concession can take effect, that the labour issues must be discussed and handled,” he added.  

 

He stated that the unions are not privy to the appointment of the concessionaire, saying, “The airport belongs to Nigerians. It’s a federal government structure or institution. So you cannot, at midnight, decide on who to give the airport to without declaring it open to all Nigerians”. 

 

President General of Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Comrade Alale Adedayo, condemned the way and manner whole process of concession is being executed, saying it is not transparent.

 

“Let there be national dailies, advertisement, then for good six months so that anybody that wants to bid will come, sit around the table with the staff and consider the staff welfare, the labor-related matters.

 

“Our members are not part of the committee, they dodged, they pushed outside, they did not even call us for any meeting again,” he added.