Keyamo Condemns NLC, TUC For Disruptions At Abuja Airport

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over their protest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The two unions had, early this morning, directed their members to mount a blockaded at 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 South-East state.

The move grounded activities at the airport, leaving many travellers grounded.

While 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.

“As of yesterday, we were battling with the fact that they said for only flights for Imo that they would disrupt. But this morning, they blocked the access roads to the Abuja airport. They are disrupting the entire country.”

While the minister claimed to be a friend of the labour movement, he called on the protesting unionists to sheathe their swords in the interest of the nation.