Skip to main content

"We Don't Want Airport Concession"... Says Staff of PortHarcourt International Airport As They Join Nationwide Protest


Staff of Port Harcourt International Airport today joined the staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; and affiliate unions in a nationwide peaceful protest against planned airport concession.

The protest was carried out by four unions – Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ASSAN), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUATE), National Union of Air Traffic Employees (ANAP) and Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

The aviation sector had staged the peaceful protest in expression of its disagreement with the Federal Government on its plan to concession four major international airports – Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja and Kano.

Comrade Ajuru Emmanuel, National Vice-President of NUATE, during the protest, condemned the plan saying that it lacked respect for labour laws.

“The reason we’re saying no to concession is that it is a tactical strategy that has a political undertone capable of bringing aviation workers and the entire nation into crises and unemployment.

“When the aviation minister started the concession process, we advised him on engaging the various unions in execution of the plan to enable us discuss holistically and to see if there’s need for further synergy.

“But they’ve refused to listen to us,” Emmanuel said.

Similarly, Comrade Jerry Victor, a Representative of ANAP, expressed optimism that the protest would re-position government’s decision as it directly affected all facets of the Aviation Industry.

He said that though workers were not totally against the idea of concession, “We are saying that due process be followed.

“There should be consultation and dialogue to ensure that all labour-related issues are properly handled.”

Comrade Felix Ohwoefe, also representing NUATE, said that aside the issue of airport concession, the sector had a huge challenge with the operations of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Describing the operations of PenCom as non-beneficial to the Nigerian workers.

Meanwhile, a Private Logistics Operator at the airport, Mr Richard Perewi, has condemned the protest.

He urged that the federal government should rather speed up moves towards actualisation of the planned concession.

Perewi added that the concession move, when realised, would enhance optimal economic growth of the sector.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Minaibim Harry Emerges As National Rescue Movement Governorship Candidate

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  As political parties gear towards meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission's deadline of submitting party's candidates, The National Rescue Movement, NRM has on Wednesday 27th, May 2026 declared Reverend Minaibim Harry as its Governorship Candidate for the 2027 election.  Reverend Harry who emerged through consensus will fly the party's flag  in the 2027 Governorship election in Rivers State. In his declaration, Chairman of the electoral committee who is the National Deputy Chairman of the party, South South, Dr. Lucky Ekeji, said the Governorship candidate was carefully selected among others. Speaking to Newsmen at the sideline of the event, the NRM Governorship candidate, Reverend Harry said his emergence is timely, considering the political situation in Rivers State. " I know that everybody have been talking about peace, but I'll bring peace on another level. I'll bring security to the state, I'll bring employment...
1 comment
Read more

Ghost Lawyer Defends Client in Port Harcourt Court

  A magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt was thrown into confusion today Thursday, the 12th of March, 2026 when it noticed that a lawyer who had died since last year, 2025 December appeared before it on Tuesday the 10th of February, 2026 to conduct his matter. When the matter was called for hearing, and the lawyer was not present, the court on inquiry was informed by the litigant that his lawyer died since last year December 2025. The court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Kingsley Briggs became confused and had to search through his record book, where he confirmed the lawyer’s presence during proceeding on Tuesday the 10th day of February, 2026. The Senior Magistrate informed the litigant on how the court had wanted to issue a bench warrant against him if not for the intervention of his lawyer who pleaded that he the litigant was sick and needed medical attention. Senior Magistrate Briggs also narrated how based on the plea of ill health by the lawyer, the court did not is...
Post a Comment
Read more

Federal Government Yet to Approve Adire as NYSC Uniform, Minister Clarifies

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying his earlier remarks on the subject were misconstrued. The clarification came hours after media reports suggested that the government had concluded plans to replace the NYSC's iconic khaki uniform with Adire following the minister's appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Thursday. In a statement posted on his official social media account later on Thursday, Olawande explained that he had merely referenced Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals being considered during consultations on the ongoing reform of the NYSC, and not as a final policy decision. "My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service C...
Post a Comment
Read more