Labour declares total shut down of Lagos airport

…FAAN assures passengers of adequate services

In furtherance to its demands on the recent increase in petrol pump price and increase in workers’ salary from the Federal Government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) belonging to the Comrade Ayuba Wabba led faction and Civil Society Organisations, has threatened to shut down operational activities at the Lagos Airport completely today.

NEWSVERGE recalled that the factional labour union blocked the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, at the Ikeja end resulting in heavy gridlock, thereby leaving air travellers, commuters and motorists stranded.

The road which was blocked for about six hours affected the free flow of traffic, while intending air passengers had to alight from their vehicles and trekked to their various terminals.

The blockade and protest is in fulfillment of the threat by the Comrade Wabba Ayuba faction of the NLC to go ahead with the nationwide strike after talks with the Federal Government broke down.

The NLC, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and other civil society groups gathered at the roundabout close to Forte Oil and Arik Air, where they sang solidarity songs and made anti-Federal Government speeches as it concerns the hike in petrol pump price from N86 to N145 per litre.

At the scene of the protest, no fewer than 10 Police vehicles, which brought in policemen from both the Airport Police Command and beyond were seen monitoring the protesting groups.

Some of the groups that were at the Lagos Airport with the NLC, include, Joint Action Front (JAF), Academic Staff Union of University (ASSU), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) among others.

Speaking at the protest, the Secretary, JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, stated that the strike action embarked on by labour and other groups is to resist the wicked increases in fuel price and electricity tariff.

Meanwhile, Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), dismissed the threat of the factional NLC and assured passengers that there will not be disruption flights during the period.