Despite numerous appeals and pleas by the federal government, aviation workers have threatened to shut down the country’s airports if their demands are not met
Local and international flight operations came to a halt yesterday while travellers across the country were left stranded as aviation workers moved to enforce a two-day warning strike over a disagreement with the federal government.
In a move to forestall the strike action, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority led by the Director-General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu held a meeting with the striking union but it ended in a stalemate.
The FG, through the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika yesterday, also called on the aviation union to cancel their planned strike adding that it had a direct effect on the passengers who have been left stranded across the airports in Nigeria.
Sirika promised that the FG would look into all the demands the union have tabled which include halting the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ headquarters in Lagos and the implementation of the conditions of service signed with the staff of the aviation agencies.
The FG’s appeal, however, failed to make the needed effect on the striking workers as they have vowed to enforce a total shutdown on the second day of the strike which is today, April 18, 2023.
According to the General Secretary of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Sikiru Waheed, the first day of the strike was just a signal to the public and the government so they can know the severity of the issues on the ground.
He said, “Day two of the strike would be more effective than what you are seeing here now because we only used today as a warning to people that are travelling.”
“So, people who need to travel should not book a flight for tomorrow (Today) because it is going to be a total shutdown. It is not going to be like today. By 5:00 am we will be here to shut down everywhere.
“We are appealing to all those that want to travel that they should shelve their journey for tomorrow because it may be disrupted. It is a warning for everyone in the public.”