Fakoyejo OlalekanAir Peace has criticised the actions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) against the firm, which the airline said will result in N700 million loss.
The international airline, owned by Allen Onyema, accused the workers’ unions of always targeting the operation of Air Peace whenever they have an issue with the government.
Air Peace stated that due to a faceoff between Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the workers’ unions, NLC and TUC disrupted the airline’s operations despite not having any affiliation with the governor.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NLC and TUC wrote to the company, stating that no flight should be operated into Owerri, Imo State, because Governor Uzodimma disrupted their May Day activities a few days ago.
According to the management of Air Peace, instead of the workers taking their fight to the governor, NLC and TUC chose to shut down the operation of the airline going into the state on Wednesday.
Air Peace said it is a targeted attack, considering other airlines were not disrupted by the workers. The firm stated further that the action will lead to cancellations of flights across the country this week.
“They had written us yesterday (Tuesday), saying that no flight should be operated into Owerri today (Wednesday) because Governor Uzodimma disrupted their May Day activities a few days ago.
“Air Peace has no affiliation whatsoever with the Imo State Government or Governor Uzodimma. Our duty and commitment are to the Nigerian flying public that have paid us. We have a contract with them to deliver. This morning, they carried out a selective attack on Air Peace, took over our counters and disrupted our operations,” Air Peace wrote.
Commenting on the impact, the management said: “While they were doing this, another Nigerian airline was allowed to operate into and out of Owerri. They are disrupting over 110 flights of Air Peace. This particular illegal action of NLC and TUC will lead to over N700m loss to the airline.
“It will equally lead to massive disruptions and cancellations of our flights across the country today, and that will snowball into the coming days, too.”
Air Peace said the actions of the TUC and NLC members have made Nigeria’s aviation sector and the country a laughing stock in the world.
“We do not understand why Air Peace and aviation should be selected for this kind of treatment. If they have a grouse against Governor Uzodimma, that should be taken to Imo State.
“Why are they not stopping road transport workers who are going to Imo State? Aviation borders on national security and Nigeria has been made a laughing stock in the world,” the statement reads.
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