FAAN, Affiliated Unions Stage Peaceful Protest in Kano

FAAN, Affiliated Unions Stage Peaceful Protest in Kano

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) workers in Kano, alongside its two affiliated unions, yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest over the plan by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to concession the four major viable airports in the country.

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ahmed Lawal Fagge, who spoke on behalf of NUATE and NUP at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, said the concession of the four viable/major airports would lead to the death of 6,000 FAAN workers.

Fagge said some cartels in the government are only interested in buying the viable airports and concession it to Turkish investors.

He said the move would lead to a serious national security breach as well as economic terrorism in which the workers union would mobilise and protest against any such attempt in the name of Airport concession.

THISDAY learnt that the protesters were carrying placard with  inscription such as ‘Cartel in government are interested in buying the four viable airports, our airports cannot be sold in bits’,  ‘airport concession is economic terrorism and workers say no to airport concession’.

The chairman also called on President Mohammadu Buhari not to succumb to the mindset of the Aviation Minister to concession the four viable airports, namely, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kano.

 

It was also learnt that the protest came as a result of the unanimous decision taken by national headquarters of their union over the proposed concession of the four major airports in the country.

According to Fagge, “We have raised four major issues to the government.  All we want is to win the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari. Every Nigerian knows of his proven integrity but it is unfortunate that this time, the mantle of leadership was given to somebody who is out to sell the property of the federal government that has been generating huge revenue for the country.

''Let me put the record straight; the FAAN is generating N33 billion annually, out which 25 per cent goes to the coffers of the federal government, 20 percent is being paid to the new Terminal Building been constructed by a Chinese company across the nation, while 45 percent is the amount used for the maintenance of the airports and the maintenance of workers among others.

“Now, what we are agitating for is his plan of not carrying the union along. They just want to concession the four viable airports overnight.

''The destiny of over 6,000 workers across the airports is hanging in the balance, so we are therefore calling on the president, whom we know is not aware of this dangerous plan, for him to be aware.

''Why are they so interested in concessioning the viable ones? Why can't they go and build their own airports, I think you can only concession something that is unworkable, you are looking for a way to make profit. Now the four major airports, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos, are not only generating revenue but sustaining the airports and the other 22 airports.

''Why are they so interested in something that is viable? We don't want a similar situation that happened to Nigeria Airways to happen to FAAN. So, by the time these four major airports are concessioned, what happens to the minor ones. So what we are saying is that to concession the four major airports is an economic terrorism and a threat to the security of the country.

''The president should know that we are telling him the truth and not what those ‘big’ men are telling him by deceiving and telling him what his ears would want to hear. The truth is that our four major airports are viable, vibrant and generating revenue.

''So, I see no reason why a minister would just wake up overnight night and want to concession the four major airports. Ever since this new minister came on board, he has never initiated any policy that has brought development.

''Since the inception of this government, we have been talking of a new national carrier, but ended up to concessioning what we have. Following the ongoing biting economic situation of the country, we are trying to diversify from oil to non-oil sector and airport is one of them.”