Business
Aviation Workers Threaten To Disrupt Flights
The Air Traffic Senior Staff Association of Nigerian (ATSSSAN) on Monday threatened to embark on a two-day warning strike, beginning from March 14.
Our correspondent reports that the union’s action is to press for the cancellation of the contract between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and MAEVIS Nigeria Ltd.
The union, in a letter dated March 4 to President Goodluck Jonathan, said that the decision to go on strike was taken at its congress on March 1, after exhausting legitimate channels for the cancellation of the agreement.
The letter was signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary, Mr Sunny Aiyede.
“ATSSSAN is compelled by recent development to take this course of action in the general interest of the Nigerian people,” the group said.
The group, however, said that it was not sponsored by anybody to cause any problem during the forthcoming general elections.
“It is important we place on record, unequivocally that we are not in any way being used by anyone or groups whatsoever to disrupt the democratic process.
“If we are influenced at all, it is by intimidation, blackmail and manipulation by Maevis to create and divert our focus from the main issue,” the union said.
It said that FAAN had in 2007 contracted the automation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to MAEVIS, thereby authorising the company to collect aero and non-aeronautical fees at airports.
ATSSSAN said that the company had since been at logger heads with FAAN over the alleged non-remittance of N7 billion.
“We need to do the needful for the survival of FAAN and the sustenance of all the airports in Nigeria,” it said.