By Gabriel Agbeja

Aviation unionists have appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise labour’s affairs in its plan to concession airports in the country.

They made the call on Wednesday during their joint congress at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Mr Abdul Ahmed, the Chairman, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Abuja Chapter, called for clarity in the airport concession.

Specifically, he said workers’ condition of service should not be neglected.

According to him, airports’ concession without putting into consideration more than 8,000 Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) workers will pose a very big challenge.

“It is a government policy; we don’t have to stop government from executing its policy.

“However, all we need is that labour issues must be resolved before moving ahead to do anything.

“That is why we are here today to say, we are not against concession,” he said

Mr Desmond Agoro, the Chairman, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) Abuja Chapter, outrightly condemned Federal Government’s move to concession any nation`s airports.

Agoro, however, said if the government must concession the airports, due process should be followed.

Mrs Ukpen Lucy, NUATE Women Leader, urged the Federal Government to prioritise labour-related issues while embarking on airport concession.

Also speaking, Mr Iwatuje Obafemi, Chairman, Association of Nigerian Aviation Profession of Nigeria (ANAP), Abuja Chapter, said the Federal Government should be sensitive to workers’ welfare in the concession process.

He advised the government to prioritise security and safety of travellers at the nation’s airports. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi