NLC Backs out of Threat to Shut down Lagos Airport

The Ayuba Wabba-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday failed to carry out its plan of grounding flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, over the recent increase in fuel price.

Vice-President of the NLC, Mr. Adelegan Solomon, had last Wednesday vowed that no flight would land or take off from the airport if the federal government refuses to revert the pump price of petrol from N145 to N87 per litre.

However, investigation at the airport shows that flight operations went on smoothly at both the international and domestic wings of the airport.
Also, staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were at their respective offices and duty posts as directed by the government.

Security was tight within the airport environment as police officers were deployed around strategic locations by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command, Mrs. Victory Menta.
General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mr. Olayinka Abioye, disclosed that the union had not suspended the strike but decided not to disrupt flight operations at the airport.

According to him, “We have created a window of opportunity for our entrepreneurs to also enjoy the benefit of our presence at the airport, so that we don’t create more problems for air travelers.
“We realise that if we completely shut down the airport, there will be very serious problems for people in the country.

“Since transporters are working, there is no reason for us to deny people from using the airport.”
Also, the spokesperson of the Lagos Airport Police Command, Mr. Joseph Alabi, enjoined travelers and other airport users to go about their lawful duties without any fear of harassment.
“As far as the Lagos airport is concerned, there is no problem. Our officers are on ground and there is no cause for alarm,” Alabi added.

Ekiti: Govt Offices, Schools Remain Shut as Businesses Reopen
Government offices and both public and private schools were still closed in Ekiti State as the industrial action declared by organized labour to protest the fuel pump price hike entered day two yesterday.

Based on the 24 hours ultimatum issued to the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to pay the deductions on salaries for December, 2015 or face another industrial crisis, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Odunayo Adesoye, revealed that the issue would be revisited after the nationwide strike.

Adesoye said the organised labour is awaiting the outcome of the nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) before the issue would take the centre stage in the state.
The organised labour had last Tuesday written Fayose to pay the deduction or face another industrial action in the state.

Meanwhile, businesses have returned to full capacity in Ado Ekiti metropolis and other towns in the state contrary to what was witnessed last Wednesday when skeletal business activities were in operation in the capital city and other towns.

When THISDAY visited the Erekesan market place, the major market centre in
Ado Ekiti, businesses were fully in top gear, as marketers were at their stands doing their trading. However, both public and private schools across the state were still under lock and key. Even all the shopping complexes and lock up shops in some selected areas that were operating at low capacity last Wednesday had fully returned to work and their owners were at hand doing their businesses.

Meanwhile, the Chairmen of NLC, Ade Adesanmi, and Joint Negotiating Council,
Blessing Oladele, said the organised labour is motoring compliance closely.
They said they would ensure that nothing is allowed to scuttle the level of compliance to the strike in the state, saying the closure of government offices also confirmed that the industrial action has been successful.

NLC, ASUU shut Down Schools, Banks, Govt Offices in Kano
Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Academic Staffs Union of Universities (ASUU) and other civil society groups yesterday crippled activities in government offices in the state.
The union monitoring team moved from one office to the other, chasing away workers who had reported for work. Banks in the state have been closed while filling stations continues with their operations in the state.

The labour action in Kano consequently paralysed businesses and other activities in government offices and the tertiary institutions in the state. When THISDAY visited some parts of the city, it was observed that most banks and business centres did not render services to customers.

The state secretariats were also closed down depriving workers from gaining access to their offices, while students of public primary and secondary schools in the state were told to return home by their principals.

At Audu Bako secretariat, the task force moved from one room to the other forcing workers out of their offices, while vehicles were not allowed into the secretariat.
At the secretariat which houses members of the state House of Assembly, the labour union denied staff of the assembly access to their offices.
However, academic staff of Bayero University Kano also joined the strike as all the lecture halls remained locked.

Students were also seen stranded at the North West University Kano as ASUU officials moved from one place to another to ensure compliance with the strike.
Meanwhile, at Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil, the academic activities have been paralysed by the ASUU.

It was also learnt armed policemen remain vigil at Audu Bako secretariat when the enforcement team of NLC forced workers to return home.
Banks and other financial institutions in the state have been closed in the state while local government areas as well locked their offices to comply with NLC Strike.