…Directs members to report erring VIP for sanctions
The National Unions of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE) has warned air travellers and airport users in Nigeria, to desist from unruly behaviour while in the airports
The union gave the warning on the heels of reported alleged issues of unruly behaviours of a former governor and a sitting governor at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa respectively.
In the statement signed by its National President, Comrade Ben K. Nnabue, NUATE which frowned at the undignified conducts of some Very Important Personalities (VIPs), regretted that despite the efforts by the world to align with health protocols put in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19 at airports, some Nigerian VIPs are yet to change from their abrasive behaviours at public places, like an airport environment.
The statement read in part: “The reported incident of unruly behaviour by ex-governor Yari of Zamfara State in which he physically assaulted an airport worker and prevented him from executing an important COVID-19 protocol of disinfecting his luggage is quite abhorring and regrettable. There are reports of a similar incident in Port Harcourt recently.
“We had thought that the usual repugnant and abrasive attitude of many Nigerian VIPs would yield to the emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic and allow reason to prevail at this trying time. These incidents show that is not the case, which is quite unfortunate.”
The aviation union which warned that it would no longer tolerate any unruly conduct from any airport user towards its members, therefore directed its members to report similar incident in the future, to their local union officials for immediate mitigating action
“We are compelled, therefore, to sound this note of warning to VIPs, and indeed all airport users that our union will henceforth take more than passing interest in unruliness of any kind at Nigerian airports, especially as regards flouting of COVID-19 protocols. “Accordingly, all airport workers are hereby directed to immediately report any such incident to local union officials for immediate mitigating action. In addition, any airport user who falls culprit in this regard will be declared persona non grata at all Nigerian airports and may as such be embarrassed if found within any airport premises,” said the union.
Comrade Nnabue who assured the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of the union’s support at at preventing the reoccurrence of unruliness in any of its airports, urged airport workers to continue carrying out their duties with utmost level of professionalism.
“While we join the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to find mitigation for this kind of isolated case, and even as we continue to engage stakeholders on issues of occupational Health & Safety (OHS), we shall urge all airport workers to continue to discharge their duties with the highest level of professionalism in order to make the airport environment COVID-19 compliant and safe for all users,” he said.
The aviation union therefore called on the travelling public to feel free and safe whenever they chose to travel by air.
“In this regard, we wish to allay the fears of the traveling public and invite all to feel free and safe to travel with the approved airlines and through the approved airports which have been certified by the NCAA after thorough scrutiny,” NUATE said.
