• Justifies removal of 13 in Lagos, 21 others to go
• Senate moves to avert industrial action by aviation unions
• Bars minister from implementing planned demolition of agencies’ offices in Lagos
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has hinted of plans to demolish more structures illegally occupying airport lands nationwide, and posing “grave danger” to aircraft operations.
The authority, apparently reacting to public outcry over recent demolition of 13 houses in Lagos, said the exercise was part of a nationwide cleanup of airports for enhanced safe operations.
Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, said the demolition in Ajao Estate area of Lagos followed a painstaking protocol that earmarked 34 safety and security-risk structures to the Lagos airport.
Hope-Ivbaze added that removal of illegal structures would also be carried out at all other airports that have similar challenges. She said: “The authority hereby uses this opportunity to advise all illegal occupants to relocate from all airports’ lands for their own safety and security.”
Hope-Ivbaze said that the area of land currently housing the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos was acquired for public use by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Lands Acquisition Ordinance by FGN official Gazettes in 1944, 1972, and 1975 respectively.
She added that in year 2000, FAAN noticed some encroachments within its acquired land in Lagos, and a committee was set up to investigate and compel those encroaching to cease and desist from such actions.
IN another development, the planned demolition of some aviation agencies’ offices and headquarters in Lagos by the minister in charge of the ministry has, yesterday, been halted by the Senate pending the outcome of intervention being made by its Committee on Aviation.
This is coming following a motion on urgent need for the Senate’s intervention on the intended warning strike by aviation unions moved by Biodun Olujimi .
Olujimi drew the attention of the Senate to the intended warning strike by the Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircrafts Pilots and Engineers and others.
She said that continuous threats of outright demolition of the aviation agencies by the ministry without making reasonable provisions for befitting alternative offices, is making the affected unions to fight back through strike actions. She, therefore, urged the Senate to intervene in the matter by mandating its committee to interface with all stakeholders for possible way out of the crisis.
Meanwhile, after an exhaustive debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its Committee on Aviation, chaired by Olujimi, to organise a round-table discussion with all parties involved in the crisis.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, said: “Aviation, being the face of the country, must not be allowed to run into crisis.
“Our committee should intensify efforts towards nipping in the bud any action that may result into strike by the aviation unions and also prevent the unions from embarking on any strike.”
