Aviation workers in Nigeria blocked access roads leading to the Lagos airports, causing heavy traffic gridlock and disrupting the activities of travellers.
The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), were protesting the planned concession of the four major airports in the country.
The workers gathered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and the domestic terminal, Ikeja, as early as 6:00 am, with placards bearing various inscriptions such as “Aviation is not for sale,” “Our airports are our heritage” and “No to concession”. They were also seen chanting solidarity songs to register their displeasure with the proposed airport concession.
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According to a statement by NUATE, the union had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government over the issue, which expired on April 15, 2023, without any meaningful dialogue from the government. “We are here today to express our displeasure with the federal government’s plan to concession the four major airports in Nigeria. We have given them a 14-day ultimatum, which has expired without any meaningful dialogue from the government,” said Ocheme Aba, the NUATE General Secretary.
The union leaders also called on the federal government to reconsider its decision to hand over the airports to private investors, citing the negative consequences of previous privatization exercises in the country.
“We are opposed to the concession of our airports because it has been proven in the past that privatization only leads to job losses, reduced service quality and increased costs to the traveling public. The government should reconsider its decision and look for other ways to finance the development of the airports,” said Frances Akinjole, the Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN.
The protest caused a heavy traffic gridlock on the access roads leading to the airports, with many travellers stranded and unable to make their flights.
The police and other security agencies were on the ground to ensure that the protest did not turn violent.
The federal government had earlier announced plans to concession the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports, citing the need to attract private sector investment and improve the efficiency of airport operations in the country. However, the unions have rejected the plan, saying it will lead to job losses and a decline in service quality.
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