Airport Concessioning: Prioritize Aviation Workers’ Entitlements

The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has raised alarm over aviation workers’ growing fears of job losses due to the federal government’s plan to concession airports.

The government asserts that airport concessioning is the best route to attract private investment for improving critical infrastructure. However, ANAP’s Secretary General, AbdulRazaq Seidu, emphasized that neglecting workers’ gratuities, pensions, and other entitlements before executing any concession plan could lead to chaos in the industry.

Key Concerns About Airport Concessioning

Worker Welfare Must Be a Priority
Seidu warned that unresolved labor issues, especially involving staff from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), have already caused discontent among workers. Addressing these concerns before moving forward with concessioning is essential to maintaining industry stability.
Transparency and Due Process
The ANAP leader urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), to ensure a transparent process. He cautioned against repeating mistakes made under former minister Hadi Sirika, particularly regarding alleged irregularities in Ethiopia Airline’s involvement in previous deals.
Union Involvement at Every Stage
Seidu highlighted the critical role of unions, emphasizing that their secretariats—not political leaders—represent workers’ true interests. He demanded their inclusion from the outset of discussions to prevent failure, as seen in earlier attempts at concessioning.
Security Risks and National Interests
Concerns were also raised about potential security risks associated with privatizing national infrastructure. Seidu reiterated that any concession process must balance commercial interests with the country’s safety and sovereignty.
Governing Boards and Workers’ Rights
The lack of governing boards for aviation parastatals and outdated worker conditions were also criticized. Seidu called for FAAN-dominated committees to oversee the process, ensuring that workers’ rights are prioritized.

Recommendations for the Minister

Engage All Stakeholders: Involve unions and workers in every step of the concessioning process to foster trust and ensure fairness.
Resolve Labor Issues First: Finalize discussions on gratuities, pensions, and entitlements before signing any concession agreements.
Beware of Bad Advisors: Seidu advised Minister Keyamo to avoid relying on sycophants and instead focus on creating a legacy of fairness and progress.

Conclusion

Airport concessioning can unlock much-needed investment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, but it must not come at the expense of workers’ rights and livelihoods. A transparent, inclusive process that resolves labor issues and ensures national security will be key to its success.