Sack Fear Grips FAAN Workers

As the fate of workers over the concessioning of the General Aviation Terminal remain uncertain, fear has gripped the workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAA) over rumour of an impending retrenchment and sack that may sweep away more than 1,000 workers out of the system.

Although FAAN management has denied any sack plan, but last month’s directive by the minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba to the director of administration to shortlist the over 50 workers of the authority at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Lagos Airport for redeployment may have fueled the workers fears.

GAT was handed over to Bi-Courtney by the Federal Government and since then, crisis has trailed the arrangement.

The planned sack sources said, may not be unconnected with the fact that the concession of revenue from the terminal may not be forthcoming to take care of the welfare of the workers.

Managing director of FAAN, Mr Richard Aisuebeogun had earlier denied any plan to sack workers, describing the rumour as false, mischievous and unfounded.

Sources said management of FAAN may have shortlisted names of workers to go and send same to the minister for approval as it was believed that the concessioning of GAT would render some workers redundant.

FAAN has about 5,000 workers managing 21 airports in the country. The workforce, said to be inadequate in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) would be further depleted if the sack is implemented. Although before the decision of government to handover GAT and concession of four major airports, sources said the agency have short-listed candidates for recruitment.