The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, was on Friday shut down by protesting aviation workers, leaving passengers stranded and flight operations disrupted.
Report reaching National Post indicates that the shutdown followed a directive from the national leadership of aviation unions, issued from Abuja and Lagos. A reliable source disclosed that the protest is linked to the recent concessioning of the Enugu airport by the Federal Government.
According to the source, the airport was concessioned to a South-East governor and a top businessman from Anambra State, without adequate consideration for the welfare and future of the airport workers. The workers reportedly expressed concern that while they were informed that full concessioning would take effect in two years, no clear plan was communicated regarding their employment status under the new ownership.
An aviation worker, who spoke to National Post on condition of anonymity, said unions had made several attempts to engage key stakeholders involved in the concession, including one of the South-East governors and a prominent Anambra-based billionaire investor, but received no concrete response on workers’ welfare.
“So this morning, workers received a directive from the national offices of the aviation unions to shut down flight operations, and that is exactly what is happening,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, passengers had been forced out of the airport’s waiting lounge and left stranded. Enugu-bound flights from Abuja and Lagos were also suspended.
Efforts to get official reactions from airport authorities and the Federal Ministry of Aviation were ongoing as the situation continued to unfold. More details are expected.
