Unions stage protest against planned airport concession

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) workers have embarked on a protest action against the planned concession of four major international airports in the country.

The protesting workers belong to FAAN unions like the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association in Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Pensioners (NUP).

At the protest on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, the workers expressed their disagreement with the Federal Government's decision to approve the concessioning of the airports to the private sector.

They displayed placards that had inscriptions like, "Nigeria's airport concession Rest in peace", "Concessioning is evil. Hadi Sirika must go", and "Pastor Adeboye of RCCG, call your Pastor Osinbajo to order".

While speaking at the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum at the State House in Abuja on Monday, September 11, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced the Federal Executive Council's decision to approve the concessioning of the Lagos and Abuja airports.

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He revealed, "I'm pleased to say the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the concessioning of the Lagos and Abuja airports."

This was after FAAN unions publicly opposed the plan when the Federal Government inaugurated a committee in 2016 to map out the concessioning process to allow the private sector take over at least four major airports at Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and Lagos. They expressed their concerns about the lack of transparency involved in the process.

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation also publicly stated its objections to the plan, expressing concern for what might happen to over 4,000 workers if the concession is approved.

The concession ensures private companies and investors can be more involved in the day-to-day running of the airports.