LAGOS, NIGERIA – Some aviation unions have kicked against the poor approach of airport concession process which they described as ‘back door’ arrangement by government.

The unions, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) had all their members present at the Congress which was held at FAAN Freedom Square.

The unions made their position know on Tuesday during the Congress, while all FAAN offices and gates were under locked and key denying workers to sit at their work stations.

Addressing the workers, the President of NUATE Comrade Ben Nnabue, said the unions learned that the government was going ahead to concession some airports in a manner that was not known to any of them

He said the minister had told them that he was not going into concessions but that the unions were surprised to see documents on concession from the ministry.

Nnabue said the unions have lost confidence in the management of agencies attending meetings with the minister

“Posterity will not forgive them if they go to represent FAAN and sell FAAN out without calling stakeholders. There is no information that is hidden forever”

Nnabue said in the document that was paraded had in its Full Business Case 50 years, in the agreement it had 80 years

Nnabue queried if they were buying the land or concession adding that management concession was for only five years saying he has never seen any agreement of 80 years

The NUATE president stated that Mr Festus Keyamo had earlier told them that labour issues will be discussed with the unions adding that in the documents being circulated they have written legal issues ‘They did not discuss with us and they are writing issues affecting our members’

The president of ANAP, Comrade Adedayo Alale said the minister told all the union leaders that all labour issues will be resolved before concession.

Alale said the process of concession of Enugu airport was almost concluded while that of Port harcourt and Kano have also been planned .

Also speaking at the congress, the 3rd National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade John  Ogbe said no union or worker was afraid of concession adding that they were against concession through the back door, not transparent and non inclusive adding that aviation workers were critical stakeholders and must be carried along

Ogbe noted that in the last plan, the unions had the opportunity to study the Outline Business Case , saying that what they witnessed recently were unsolicited Outline Business Cases

He said the government wants to adopt Full Business Case without involving the workers for their inputs and urged government to dialogue with workers regarding concession.

At the end of the Congress, the unions resolved that the consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage must be implemented by next month.

They also resolved that all issues concerning Conditions of Service within the next two months necessary approval must be given while the issue of concession should be transparent