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By Chinelo Obogo
Aviation unions have directed members to withdraw their services from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State from 12am on Thursday.
This directive is in response to the order given by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) following last week’s brutalisation of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri. Following the directive, it is expected that there would be flight delays and cancellations to and fro Imo State.
In a joint statement, the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), signed by their General-Secretaries, including Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole, Abdul Rasaq Saidu and Umoh Ofonime, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports.
The joint statement reads: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter; and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the 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 Wednesday, 8th November, 2023.”
“The person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of his tendencies. Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide. Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, have also been directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight of Wednesday, November, 2023 as directed by NLC and TUC.
“Based on the above, the State Councils and all branches of the unions will meet on Wednesday at 5pm in Lagos and Abuja to agree on modalities for carrying out the above directive.
“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”
