Aviation Workers in Port Harcourt Protest Alleged Airport Concession PlanAviation workers at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, staged a solidarity march on Wednesday, protesting an alleged secret plot by the Federal Government to concession the airport without their involvement.
The workers, under the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), expressed their concerns by carrying placards calling for their inclusion in the process.
The Chairman of ATSSSAN, Razaq Animashaun, explained that the march was aimed at raising awareness about the alleged secret concession plan. He emphasized that the workers were not involved in the process, which he deemed a significant oversight. “We are trying to create awareness to let the Federal Government know that we don’t have any stake in what is going on. We are not involved,” Animashaun stated. He added that the unions were committed to ensuring that the workers’ interests were safeguarded during any concession process.
Animashaun claimed that recent government actions, such as requesting data on airport operations, indicate that the concession of the Port Harcourt airport is imminent. He said, “If there is no such secret, they will not be asking you how much we have been generating for the past three years, your total number of staff, and others.” He clarified that while the unions did not oppose the concession itself, they were strongly against any non-transparent processes that excluded critical stakeholders, including workers.
The unions are particularly concerned about the potential job losses and how their members would be impacted if the airport is handed over to a private entity. Animashaun stressed the need for workers to be involved in discussions to ensure that their rights and interests were protected.
Dispute Amid Ongoing Legal Case
The Chairman of ANAP at the Port Harcourt airport, Akagha Emmanuel, also expressed concerns over the government’s actions despite the ongoing legal case concerning the airport’s concession. “We have a case in court already, which is caveat emptor,” Emmanuel said, highlighting the need for the unions, staff, and pensioners to be part of the conversation. He underscored the importance of understanding how the government plans to handle the staff before and after the concession, stressing the need for transparency throughout the process.
Government’s Concession Plans
In October 2023, the Federal Government announced plans to concession five major Nigerian airports, including the Port Harcourt International Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. However, the ongoing protests suggest that the workers feel excluded from the decision-making process, and are calling for greater involvement to ensure fair treatment and job security for their members.
