Babatunji Wusu –
Airlines’ unions have placed all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from airports in Nigeria on a blacklist.
In reaction to the brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) jointly issued a directive that led to the current action.
This decision is confirmed by a joint statement from the aviation unions, which include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
Governor Hope Uzodimma was declared persona not grata in all airports by the joint statement of their General-Secretaries, which also included Comrades Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole of NUATE, Abdul Rasaq Saidu of ATSSSAN, ANAP, and Umoh Ofonime of NAAPE.
The statement said as follows: “In accordance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NEC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the above-named unions, being affiliates of NLC and TUC, hereby direct all aviation workers (both public and private) to withdraw all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) from any airport in Nigeria with effect from midnight of 08/11/2023 (today).” This is in response to the escalation of the crisis caused by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and the Government’s continued insensitivity over the matter.
Furthermore, it is thus declared that Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, is persona non grata at all Nigerian airports until he abstains from any animalistic behavior.
“Our unions will work harder through our global connections to put Hope Uzodimma on a global blacklist.
Additionally, as instructed by NLC and TUC, all aviation employees at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, are now ordered to remain at home, effective as of midnight on this day, August 11, 2023.
In light of the aforementioned, a meeting is scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. in Lagos and Abuja between the State Councils and all union branches to discuss the details of implementing the aforementioned instruction. The NUATE Secretariat in Lagos will host the meeting, and GAT (the pilgrims’ terminal) will host the one in Abuja.
The managements of the airports, the airlines that operate into and out of Owerri, the intended passengers entering and leaving the airport, and the general public are thus alerted about this circumstance so as to be forewarned through this notification.
Unless instructed otherwise by NLC and TUC, the strike action is of an infinite duration.
