Cab Drivers Threaten to Shut Lagos, Abuja Airports Over FAAN Policies

The Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators, NUPCO, has given the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, nine days to reverse its policies or face a shutdown of operations at Lagos and Abuja airports.

The drivers, numbering over 200, are objecting to a directive by FAAN to stop using vehicles manufactured before 2012, effective July 1. They also claim that the airport authority increased their tariff from N500 to N1,500 despite operating with the same transport fares for the past three years.

This move will force them to increase fares, NUPCO said, adding that it undermines their efforts to improve their mode of operation in a harsh economic environment. FAAN was also attempting to force members of the union into an app-based transport system without adequate consultation.

National President of NUPCO, Mr. Adeola Adepegba, said that the union rejects the FAAN management's attempt to force them to adopt an app-based system, which is outside their jurisdiction. He further stated that allowing app-based cars will undermine them and jeopardize their efforts to improve their mode of operation.

In a related development, the National President of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, PERESSA, Mr. Rufus Olusesan, threw his weight behind the cab operators and warned that organised labour could shut down airport operations if the dispute remains unresolved.

Olusesan urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to intervene and call the airport authority to order. He assured the union that the labour movement is solely behind them and that they will collaborate to ensure that the airport is grounded on July 1 if the dispute remains unresolved.

The cab drivers' move has sparked concerns about the potential impact on air travel in the country. With thousands of passengers using the airports every day, a shutdown could have far-reaching consequences.

FAAN management's attempts to force the cab drivers into an app-based system have been met with resistance. The union sees this as an attempt to send them out of business and bring in their friends and cronies to take over.

The FAAN management has been accused of harassing the cab drivers on a daily basis to force them to adopt the app-based system. The union sees this as an ambush and rejects the attempt to convert them to an app-based digital system.

The NUPCO president, Mr. Adeola Adepegba, stated that their union is not an app-operational system and that FAAN management is trying to introduce them to consultants who would migrate them to an app ecosystem without discussion.

The cab operators are not alone in their objection to the FAAN policies. The labour movement has pledged to support them and may shut down airport operations if the dispute remains unresolved.

This move has sparked concerns about the potential impact on air travel in the country. With thousands of passengers using the airports every day, a shutdown could have far-reaching consequences.

The FAAN tariff increase is from N500 to N1,500, which is a 200 per cent increase. This move will automatically increase the transport fare to be paid by passengers and does not serve the interest of the overall economy.

The FAAN management has also been accused of reducing their existing companies by 90 per cent, planning to push them out of business to bring in their friends and cronies to take over.

The labour movement has urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to intervene and call the airport authority to order. They have assured the cab drivers that they will collaborate to ensure that the airport is grounded on July 1 if the dispute remains unresolved.

The shutdown of airport operations could have far-reaching consequences for air travel in the country. With thousands of passengers using the airports every day, a shutdown could lead to delays, cancellations, and loss of revenue for airlines and airport authorities.

The FAAN management's attempts to force the cab drivers into an app-based system have been met with resistance. The union sees this as an attempt to send them out of business and bring in their friends and cronies to take over.

The NUPCO president, Mr. Adeola Adepegba, stated that their union is not an app-operational system and that FAAN management is trying to introduce them to consultants who would migrate them to an app ecosystem without discussion.

The cab operators are not alone in their objection to the FAAN policies. The labour movement has pledged to support them and may shut down airport operations if the dispute remains unresolved.

FAAN was established in 1992 to manage the country's airports. The airport authority has been accused of corruption and mismanagement in the past.

The FAAN tariff increase is from N500 to N1,500, which is a 200 per cent increase. This move will automatically increase the transport fare to be paid by passengers and does not serve the interest of the overall economy.

The FAAN management has also been accused of reducing their existing companies by 90 per cent, planning to push them out of business to bring in their friends and cronies to take over.

In a related development, the National President of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, PERESSA, Mr. Rufus Olusesan, threw his weight behind the cab operators and warned that organised labour could shut down airport operations if the dispute remains unresolved.

Olusesan urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to intervene and call the airport authority to order. He assured the union that the labour movement is solely behind them and that they will collaborate to ensure that the airport is grounded on July 1 if the dispute remains unresolved.