11th November, 2010
For hours yesterday, activities at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja were paralysed as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and activists of the Civil Society Coalition stormed the airport to protest federal government’s refusal to pay the N18,000 minimum wage demanded by workers.
The protesters mounted roadblocks on the route leading to the local wing of the airport and prevented movement of people into the airport.
The atmosphere became charged when the protesters learnt that the Edo State Chairman of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mr. Ehikoya Godwin, was shot by policemen attached to the local airport in Benin, while trying to ensure compliance with the NLC directive on the strike.
Confirming the news, Comrade Abiodun Aremu of the Labour- Civil Society Coalition, said the NUATE Chairman was shot but not dead.
His words: “Mr. Godwin is not dead. He is alive, though, badly injured. He was shot when the union was mobilising workers to resist an Arik airline plane that was trying to take off.
“We are going to make an official protest to the Inspector-General of Police on the matter. The officer who shot him must be prosecuted,†he said.
He assured the protesters that operations of the offending airline would be grounded beyond yesterday and described the airline as a bad example of the privatisation policy of the government.
To douse tension and ensure that the protesters did not turn violent, the police officer in charge of the local wing of the MMA, Assistant Superintendent of Police Omololu Bishir also confirmed that the Edo State NUATE boss was not dead, adding: “the police are on top of the situation.
“The IGP will never condone reckless use of firearms. The Edo State Command has arrested and disarmed the mobile policeman that shot Mr. Godwin. He is already in custody and will be prosecuted. I can assure you that the man will face the consequences of his action. Mr. Godwin is receiving treatment at a hospital in Benin under the direct supervision of the state Commissioner of Police.”
The police offficer warned that he would not entertain the use of violence within the precincts of the airport.
Comrade Aremu who led the NLC protest from Jibowu, Yaba to the MMIA said the strike will not be called off because of the police threat. ”There is no going back on the implementation of the agreement reached with the government on the N18,000 minimum wage,” he added.
The labour activists disclosed that organised labour was united on the minimum wage issue.
A cross section of Lagosians and students who commented on the warning strike commended the NLC and expressed support for the action.
Alhaji Fatai Lawal, a resident of Ebute-Metta, observed that the government was not sincere with Labour on the minimum wage issue and stressed that it is only a wicked government that will not want the quick implementation of the minimum wage.
A student of Yaba College of Technology (YCT), Mr. Bassey Dennis, called on the government to implement the agreement reached with Labour, as the strike will have grave economic consequences on the nation’s gross domestic product.
“Students are in support of the strike and the government should consider the interest of the workers,†he pleaded.
Another student of YCT, Mr. Alli-Balogun Azeez, blamed the government for the strike, adding that the action has led to an increase in the cost of transportation.
—Ayodeji Adesina