Industrial Action

Strike: NAHCO Workers Call off Strike, Management Commends Passengers for their tolerance During Delays

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The management of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company(NAHCO) has commended its passengers for their understanding and tolerance following the inconveniences faced today as a result the strike embarked upon by its workers early Monday, January 23rd, 2022, which obstructed their travel plans. 

NAHCO Workers according to a statement made available, had called off the industrial action which lasted for about 14 hours and all staff had resumed work immediately. 

The statement which was signed by the Management of the Company, unions’ representatives and regulatory agencies, partly read that the issue was resolved that the unions should call off the strike which lasted for about 14 hours, and all staff resumed work immediately.

It was agreed that NAHCO management withdraws the suit it instituted at the National Industrial Court against the unions; negotiations on staff welfare to resume Wednesday, January 25, and be concluded within the week; and that no staff should be penalized because of participation in the strike action.

However, the Group Executive Director of NAHCOAviance, , Dr. Sola Obabori, expressed sincere appreciation of the company to its clients who showed great understanding with NAHCO during the period of the strike action and to the passengers who were inconvenienced by the strike action.

He also extend the company’s deep appreciation to it’s esteemed clients, airline passengers, who depend on NAHCO and to the stakeholders who have intervened in calming down the situation.

He reiterated the readiness and commitment of the company to provide excellent customer experience to its clients and delight them continually noting that both staff and management are key stakeholders to reckon with.

Buhari Commissions Lekki Deep seaport

Buhari Commissions, transfer $1.5 billion Lekki seaport to Tolarams Group for 45 years

 ZAINAB JUNAID 

The modern Lekki deep seaport has been commissioned today Monday, January 23rd, 2023 by President Mohammad Buhari, after the port had under gone about two years of construction, which officially commenced on June 15th 2020.

The President also handed over the port to Tolarams Group for 45 years. 

The seaport connstructed by China Harbour Engineering Lekki Free Trade Zone LFTZ Enterprises(CHELE), a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company, was billed to be completed by October 2022 and it is believed to be the deepest in Nigeria and one of the deepest in West Africa with a draft depth of 16.2metres in-depth and annual cargo tonnage of four million tons and annual container volume of 2.5million teu. 

However, prior to the cmmissioning of the deep seaport by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) berthed a CMA-CGM container vessel to the port. The vessel is reputed to be one of the largest container vessels in the world which is about 400 metres long and could carry up to 20,000 containers.

The port is also expected to be connected to an $800m railway which is expected to be built to evacuate containers from the port.

It was gathered that private funders will bankroll the railway project while the seaport will eventually be handed back to the Federal government for ownership after the private developers have exhausted their rights to the place. This would increase the revenue base of Nigeria and Lagos. The facility was constructed by the Tolarams Group.

The port was constructed on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer(BOOT) basis for 45 years before it would be transferred to the federal government through the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) after the funders must have recouped their investments.

Passengers stranded at Lagos Airport

 Passengers Stranded at MMIA as NAHCO Workers Embark on Strike

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that many flights will be disrupted today as scores of international passengers were left stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos following a strike embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCo Plc) on Monday morning over alleged salary issues.

The workers had slated Monday morning for the commencement of their strike due to non satisfaction in their salary structure. 

The ground handling company handles airlines such as Delta, Turkish Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, and Air France-KLM are some of the airlines the company handles and also do check-in, boarding, and ramp services for many international carriers.

One of the airlines handled by the ground handling company, Virgin Atlantic was left with no other choice but to withheld flight due to the strike action this morning despite its plea to the NAHCO Workers to please rescind their actions while NAHCO management look into the issue. All their moves end in null avoid. 

Many of its passengers today are students who are returning to schools in the United Kingdom, had arrived at the international wing of the Lagos airport for their flights, unaware of what awaited them. Many were seen throwing words at some NAHco workers for choosing to embark on strike as confusion reigned at the terminal.

General Sales Agent (GSA) for Virgin Atlantic Airways, Chief John Adebanjo stated that the situation had already put its passengers in a panic mode as the airline was optimistic that the situation would be resolved and passengers allowed to board for their 10 am flight.

However, it was gathered that NAHCO management had met with the staff on Sunday over the proposed strike but assured that the situation will be addressed soon.

The situation as at the time of filing this report depicted that more airlines could be affected by the problem created by the Staff of NAHCO company today.