Aviation workers protest planned demolition of headquarters

Etim Ekpimah

Aviation union workers on Thursday, 30 March 2023 at Freedom Square, around 8 am, protested the planned demolition of their headquarters annex in Lagos State.

The buildings slated for demolition are those of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The protesters carried placards with descriptions such as, “FAAN Headquarters Annex not for sale; Demolition of FAAN HQ Annex is fraudulent; Build FAAN Corporate HQ in Abuja; Relocate all FAAN HQ Staff to Abuja,” among others.

Mr John Obe, FAAN’s National Secretary at Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) stated that workers would not accept any concession unless every pensioner and the active worker is paid.

Obe likened the planned demolition of FAAN’s Headquarters Annex in Lagos to war taken to the front of their houses and urged all the workers to be united against antecedents of those who do not want the good of the aviation sector.

“There is something in Kogi State that if war comes in front of your house, you can listen to prayers anymore. This particular war has come in front of our houses and we must stay united to defeat it.

“Please if you have any issues, meet any union leaders to educate you. If we are divided at this point that is the end of the struggle.

“Our stance is that there will be no concession until everybody is paid, both pensioners and active staff.”

Our correspondent reports that the strike is the sequel to the JAC emergency meeting on 29 March 2023.