The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has reacted to the picketing of the Abuja airport by organised labour. Reacting, Keyamo faulted labour’s action and warned them against politicizing the exercise
Labour had early this morning blocked the airport owing to its faceoff with the Imo State government after the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero was beaten up in the state.
The move grounded activities at the airport, leaving many travellers stranded.
But speaking at an aviation retreat in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, Keyamo faulted the move and questioned why the unions target the sector.
“Aviation was not involved at all. Nothing about aviation but their target is aviation; their retaliation is aviation. So, please I want to beg them: ‘Leave us alone’. Leave aviation alone. You cannot target aviation in trying to address your grievances,” he told the gathering.
“You cannot target a nation in trying to address your grievances. In targeting aviation like the Chairman of the Senate Committee [on aviation], it is a global village, it affects foreigners coming into Nigeria. It affects ordinary Nigerians going about their normal businesses,” Keyamo maintained.
While the minister said he is a friend of the labour movement, he called on the protesting unionists to sheathe their swords in the interest of the nation.
The Imo State government had in the wake of the assault on Ajaero denied any involvement and accused the labour chief of dabbling into politics.
Although the unions have pencilled November 14th for a nationwide strike owing to the assault on Ajaero, Keyamo is warning them to distance themselves from politics.
“Do not allow the Labour Party to destroy the labour movement. I repeat, do not allow the Labour Party and party politics to destroy the labour movement,” he said.
“Call the leadership to order. Don’t get steeped into politics, it would destroy the movement.”
The NLC, an umbrella group of trade unions, had planned a demonstration in Owerri on Wednesday over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights.
LABOUR IS MASS POLITICS. No real distinction between the two… the Labour Movement includes the Labour Party. Politically the Party represents the Movement.
Organized Labour SHOULD ALWAYS target the Airports nationwide. So that everyone remains here, no running away from the beautiful country we have built and everyone travels by our good and safe roads. By doing so… shutting down the Airports.. you’ll discover that organized Labour is much more important than even the National Assembly. Use Your Own Power For Your Own Good, or lose out. That’s Nigeria for you.
NEVER MISS THE AIRPORTS…as your first port of call on every Strike. DON’T,