Aviation union leaders have urged the Federal Government to prioritize workers’ welfare as it plans to concession airports across the country.
The unionists made this appeal on Wednesday during a joint congress held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
Mr. Abdul Ahmed, Chairman of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) in Abuja, said there needs to be clear information about the airport concession plan.
He stressed that the working conditions of staff should not be ignored during the concession process.
Ahmed warned that moving forward with airport concessions without considering the over 8,000 staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would create serious problems.
“It is a government policy, and we are not here to stop it,” he said. “But we insist that labour issues must be fully addressed before the concession goes ahead.”
He added, “That’s why we are gathered here today — to make it clear that we are not against the idea of concession, but workers must be carried along.”
On the other hand, Mr. Desmond Agoro, Chairman of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) in Abuja, strongly opposed the plan to concession any airport.
Agoro said that if the government insists on going ahead, then it must ensure that the process follows due process and transparency.
Mrs. Ukpen Lucy, the NUATE Women Leader, also called on the government to put workers first when planning any airport concession.
Similarly, Mr. Iwatuje Obafemi, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) in Abuja, said the Federal Government must consider the welfare of aviation workers in the process.
He also advised that the government should ensure the security and safety of passengers remain a top priority at all airports.
