The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has urged aviation unions to prioritize dialogue and maintain peace as discussions continue with the Federal Government regarding the proposed concession of select airports.
Despite repeated assurances from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, that no jobs would be lost under the concession plan, industry unions remain skeptical.
These unions, including the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and the National Union of Air Transport Employees, have consistently opposed the government’s approach.
During a recent congress at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, union representatives strongly rejected the concession documents issued by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The PUNCH obtained information indicating that the unions had been excluded from the concession deliberations, despite an earlier agreement guaranteeing their involvement.
In response, the unions issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding a reversal of the decision.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, acknowledged that concerns had been raised regarding the exclusion of union members from the concession committee, as well as the delay in implementing the new minimum wage adjustments. She explained that these grievances had been formally presented to the minister during a recent interactive session with aviation unions.
Following this engagement, Keyamo directed the immediate inclusion of union representatives in the committee to foster transparency, ensuring they received complete details of the concession process.
Orah further noted that the minister committed to facilitating the swift implementation of the FAAN staff salary review.
“FAAN remains resolute towards implementing her core values. The authority is also working with the minister to maintain cordial relations with the aviation unions as continuous dialogue and understanding are better alternatives in addressing industrial issues,” the agency stated.
During the unions’ congress last week, FAAN offices and gates were locked, preventing workers from accessing the premises.
NUATE President, Ben Nnabue, addressed the gathering, expressing concern that the government was proceeding with the concession process without consulting the unions.
He stated that Keyamo had initially assured them there would be no concessions, yet official documents from the ministry contradicted this claim.
“The minister had told them that he was not going into concessions, but that the unions were surprised to see documents on concessions from the ministry,” Nnabue noted.
Similarly, ANAP President, Adebayo Alale, recalled that the minister had assured union leaders that all labor concerns would be settled before any concession took place.
He added that the process for Enugu airport’s concession was nearing completion, while similar plans were underway for Port Harcourt and Kano airports.
