FAAN staff protest FG’s plan to concession airports
Staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday occupied the domestic terminal of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA) protesting the moves to concession major airports in the country.
The aviation workers also kicked against the government directive to return all staff that retired from 1st April 2014 to PenCom.
The federal government has revealed a readiness to give out terminal building, toll Gates and non-aeronautic areas to private operators in a public-private enterprise.
The members of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employee (NUATE), and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) had set aside Monday 31st to embark on the peaceful protest to register their displeasure on the government position.
Chairman of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Hassan Aliyu insisted the concession plan will force many staff on retrenchment while the future of those retired may not be assured.
Aliyu cited the concession plan of Murtala Muhammad (MM2), Lagos and the defunct NEPA that failed to yield positive output but rather crippling carrier and sending retirees to early grave.
Aliyu disclosed that FAAN staff are satisfied with the traditional pension scheme being operated by FAAN and would rather not succumb to any forceful attempt to return aviation workers to PENCOM.
Meanwhile, domestic plight operations were not affected by the peaceful protest as passengers were seen embarking on their busy movement.