The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has condemned the plans by the Federal Government to Concession the major Airports in the Country.
The NLC therefore calls on the Federal Government to desist from further contemplation, discussions and arrangements to concession the International airports.
The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in a statement says, the unwholesome and unpatriotic attitude of giving away prized National property to private sector operatives is not only unjust and immoral.
He states that the plan is also in ultra-violation of Chapter 2, Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the Fundamental Objectives and the Directive Principles of State Policy which states that the Nigerian Government must manage and operate the major sectors of the economy and ensure that the economy is not operated to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.
The NLC President adds that the entire Nigerian working class will resist any attempt to unilaterally concession any of the public airports.
“Thus, undermine the directive principles and fundamental objectives of our National Constitution which is actually the fulcrum upon which our collective identity and aspiration rests.”
“We will not give up or surrender public assets to a few well-connected Nigerians, regardless of how powerful they may think they are.”
Comrade Wabba adds that there is no compelling reason for the Federal Government to gift away its National airports to private companies to manage.
“The truth is that this presents the Government as being incapable of managing anything. We are sure that no responsible Government would want to be seen in that light.”
He notes that once public workers are properly motivated, trained, capacitated, and given the enabling work environment, there is no limits to what they can achieve, adding that once Government is committed to allowing the professionals do their job without undue interference and ensure optimum maintenance standards especially by enforcing standards in the public procurement process, the workers are more than capable to maintain and manage our National assets.
Yemisi Oreoluwa
