Unions protest airports’ concession

Trade unions in the aviation sector yesterday, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, protested against the proposed concession of four major airports. The Nation has reported.

The protest was organised by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Union of Pensioners (NUP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government is planning to concession Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports to increase their capacity and efficiency.

The protesters carried placards, inscripbed with: “Don’t Sell Our Future”, “Don’t Concession Our Airports,” and “FAAN Should Not Be Killed”, urging the government to reconsider its decision.

The unions, in a leaflet distributed, said airports concession was a threat to national security.

They argued that the concession would kill the 17 local airports, saying this is tantamount to “economic terrorism”.

The unions urged the government to review FAAN’s concession agreements, especially that of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited and Avitech.

Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had assured the unions the concession would not lead to job loss.

Sirika said the plan was aimed at ensuring the establishment and sustenance of world-class standards in infrastructure development and service delivery.

He said concession was not tantamount to privatisation or outright sale.

According to him, the facilities being concessioned remain the property of Nigeria and FAAN.