Some of the concessionaires, workers and other users of the terminal who staged a counter protest at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos today.
As Aeronautical and non-aeronautical business activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos remain grounded, as the stand-off between management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) entered its second day, concessionaires, customers, business owners and employees who use the terminal for their businesses have embarked on a counter protest against the unions, .
The protesting stakeholders described the unions’ action as a ploy to destroy one of the best flagships of the private sector industry in the provision of services in Nigeria.
When African Business Travel News (ABTN) visited the terminal at about 2.30pm, today members of the aviation union members, some bouncers brought in by BASL and Policemen from the Airport Police Command were seen at the main gate of the MMA2 premises.
The union members of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), in their usual characteristics were also seen dancing to Fela music blaring from a musical instrument.
Our correspondent who visited the terminal reported that two rusty trucks belonging to BASL were parked to block the entrance and exit gates, while union members were also blocked both entrances.
Protesters were seen at the terminal carrying placards with different inscriptions such as: “NUATE/ATSSSAN let Bi-Courtney be”, “BASL is a responsible employer of labour, unions should stop troubling Bi-Courtney” among others.
Speaking to journalists on the shutdown of the terminal, the Head of Finance, Resort Group, Mrs. Yosola Popoola, said that the people protesting are BASL but concessionaires ,customers ,business and employees ,who according to her number over 2,000 and who contributed hundreds of millions of Naira to Nigeria’s economy who are wondering why this is happening.
She stated that there are over 500 employees in MMA2, lamenting that only 27 people, who have disciplinary issues with the company are now using the unions to destroy the business.
According to her, “Information reaching us as we speak is that each airline that resides here has bled profusely since the closure of the terminal and are endangered Even at this stage, it may be difficult for the airline to recover, which may lead to retrenchment or closure of business. All airlines are of the view that this is the most efficient terminal in Nigeria and their movement here has significantly enhanced their productivity.”
Speaking further, she said, “The unions are seeking to destroy one of the best flagships of the private sector industry in the provision of services in Nigeria .The passengers are choking as they have been subjected to inconveniences caused by extremely poor facilities in other terminals. We believe that treating the travelling public this way reflects badly on the aviation industry in Nigeria.”
Popoola pointed out that BASL is a responsible corporate citizen determined to contribute extensively to the economy of Nigeria, wondering why 27 people would be allowed to use the unions to cripple the business of a major concern.
The Head of Finance, Resort Group, frowned at the action of the Police, which according to her allegedly and deliberately refused to protect the citizen of Nigeria in the process of carrying out their business activities, adding that it is more worrisome because there is a specific court order restraining the unions from carrying out industrial action against BASL and also directing the police to ensure that MMA2 is open for business.
