By Emegwoako C. Paschal
On Tuesday, November 1st the Aviation Transport Service Senior Staff of Nigeria began a protest at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos terminal two, over the dismissal of 37 workers by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
According to John Ojikutu, Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, in a message sent to our correspondent, the ATSSSAN protest at the MMA2 Terminal has left passengers stranded due to the union’s blockage at the terminal’s entrance.
He also expressed his displeasure with the union’s demonstration, saying that it is past time for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the regulatory body, to rein in the unions’ lawlessness.
“Just heard from a colleague at the MM2 Terminal that the unions have blocked the terminal’s entrances, denying passengers access to the terminal to catch flights operated by airlines rather than the terminal operator,” he wrote.
“The NCAA, in particular, has absolute authority and power over civil aviation security in airports. If there are Civil Aviation Laws for disruptive passengers, there must be similar laws for disruptive staff and disruptive staff unions within airport operational areas.”
“Given the trends in the activities of our homegrown terrorists, BH, Bandits, Unknown gunmen, and so on, we must be wary of any of these infiltrating as ‘copycats’ amongst the disruptive staff or unions.”
“We saw or heard how EndSARS groups infiltrated Lagos two years ago, just as the US Embassy issued Advisory Warnings about possible attacks by our homegrown terrorist groups.”
“My knowledge and experience in aviation security tell me that civil aviation is always on the top lists of terrorist targets.”
“What is going on around us now requires more vigilant attention than what is going on at the Lagos Airport MM2 right now.” Let us immediately summon the obnoxious employees.
“Let them take their complaints to their employer’s offices, not to the passengers terminal building.” For the wise, a single word suffices.”
