From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin

In separate protests in Lagos and Ilorin, yesterday, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have kicked against plans by the Federal Government to concession Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja .

The two unions expressed dissatisfaction over their non- involvement in government’s concession plan. 

In Lagos, union members, drawn from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) gathered at Freedom Square, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja to make their demands.

The workers, who started their protest at about 7.30 a.m. carried placards with various inscriptions, including “FAAN workers say no to Lagos and Abuja airports concession,” “Selling our international airports is an invitation to terrorism…”

ATSSSAN National President, Mr Ahmadu Ilitrus, who spoke on behalf of both unions, said the protest was necessitated by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo’s recent statement that the Federal Government had approved concession of the airports.

Ilitrus said the unions had every reason to express fears, based on what Nigerians had witnessed in the past concession exercises.

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“We have learnt from the experiences of other sectors such as the maritime, when the ports were undergoing concession.We have also learnt from our comrades in the power and telecommunications sectors and so on. I have gone through the document of the proposed airports concession which includes transaction advisers, the terms of reference and so on.

“But, sincerely, I have not seen anywhere in the document where labour issues have been proposed or being addressed.”

According to him, this is a clear indication that the interest of labour is not being fully taken into consideration.

In Ilorin, ATSSAN chapter chairman, Alonge Isaac, told newsmen they embarked on the protest to ensure things work out well in the aviation industry. 

“It usually pain us when things are not working out fine. What is government mission for the concession of airport? We are saying no to concession with one voice. We want government to come to round table with us and see how we can join hands to make sure that things work out perfectly.”

Also NUATE Secretary,  Sanni Abdulazeez, said

“There is nothing wrong in concessioning but due process must be followed, they should discuss with the workers too because they are also stakeholder. Government should come to a round table with the workers ‎and seek their opinion. It is not a welcome idea for government to just announce concession in the media without considering the interest of the workers and other stakeholders,” Abdulazeez said.