By Daniel Eteghe
Aviation unions under the aegis of the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) with its affiliate in the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has applauded the Federal Government for taking a bold step in implementing the termination of the concession agreement between Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and Maevis Limited.
Speaking to newsmen during an interactive session at the ATSSSAN headquarters in Lagos, the National President of the union, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, affirmed that the unions were happy with the termination of the concession agreement with Maevis.
He, however, noted that although the termination of the agreement ought to have taken effect since March 2011, but it took the Federal Government almost one year to implement the termination of the contract.
He said: "The unions are happy despite the fact that it took government one year. We want to let the government know that we are happy about the decision that it has taken in terminating Maeavis' concession agreement. We are fully prepared to challenge anybody who will come to tell us that we should move away from those points that we have taken over."
Comrade Okewu, however, noted that there was a new check-in process in place at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, adding that passengers could now have a seamless travel experience to whatever international destination of their choice.
According to him: "We are having a new check-in system in place and the Airport Operations Management System has been fully installed by SITA, so passengers can now have a seamless travel experience and be comfortable at the airport."
On the generated revenues that will accrue to FAAN from the new check-in provider, SITA, Comrade Okewu said: "We will ensure that all the revenues that come to FAAN will be used to improve our infrastructure and facilities at the airports."
He further debunked the claim that Maevis was generating revenue for FAAN but rather pointed out that Maevis was stealing from FAAN and urged the government to probe Maevis Limited.
"The new check-in provider, SITA, is only collecting $1.40 cents from each passenger as opposed to the $1.40 cents that Maevis was collecting with an additional 40 per cent of enhancement for generating other revenues.
"Like we know the contract sum was N3.81billion when it was signed and it was supposed to be in four airports but Maevis is now claiming that it is N6.8 billion when they have only done most of their investment in Lagos and partially in Abuja, hence, the government has to probe Maevis by taking them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). If Maevis has stolen, it has to refund it to the government," Okewu affirmed.
Also speaking, the National Auditor for the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Emmanuel Jaja, said that TUC was solidly behind the unions and congratulated them for the victory that they have achieved so far.
"This is a new beginning that is coming to FAAN. Everything was done smoothly and accordingly. On behalf of the Trade Union Congress, we will support our affiliates. Whoever feels that the Federal Government has done wrong, let him come out," he stressed.
Vanguard Nigeria