Passengers Stranded As Aviation Unions Begin Strike

By: Umar Abdulrahmon 

The Nation Reporters report that the activities in the aviation sector of Nigeria have been disrupted with many passengers stranded as Aviation Unions today commence their two-day warning strike.

Members of the unions have blocked the entrance to the Murtala Muhammad Airport domestic terminal, leaving many passengers stranded.

This falls on the heels of a meeting called by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority which ended in a stalemate with the unions insisting on going ahead with the strike.

The Director-General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu, called the meeting aimed at prevailing on the unions to shelve their planned two-day warning strike with representatives of the unions in attendance.

The unions comprise the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria; the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals.

They are demanding, among other things, that the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ headquarters in Lagos be halted while also advocating the implementation of conditions of service signed with the staff of the aviation agencies.

The Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole in a short interview last night after the meeting said, “As I am talking to you, nothing has changed. If you don’t hear anything from the General Secretary, the strike continues.”

He later followed up with a text message, saying, “The strike goes as planned.”

Security operatives, including police and military officers, are on the ground as the unions sing solidarity songs.