NAHCO Set to Offload 3000 Workers

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, (NAHCO Aviance) has marked about 3000 workers for termination following its successful completion of facilities up grade which had been ongoing for close to two years, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.
Kayode Olusegun Ojo, CEO, NAHCO Aviance said it was part of the company’s transformation programme embarked upon to reposition it for growth. Subsequently, he noted that some workers have to go for a leaner and more effective workforce.
“We started with infrastructural renewal, purchase of equipment and human resource development. But where there are redundancies, they have to be declared in consonance with labour laws,” said Ojo.
The NAHCO boss also said the activities of the company must meet aviation standards expected from its personnel, adding that all the workers were being carried along in the actions the company was taking.
 “Our staff are all expected to measure up with international aviation standard best practices and where there are areas of professional conflicts, we apply rules of engagement and disengagement. But all staff are carried along in our processes and decisions,” Ojo added.
Benjamin Okewu, National President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ATSSSAN) said that the union was aware of the NAHCO plan and has engaged the company in talks to see how it would tone down the effects of the job loss. 
NAHCO Aviance, a fully privatized public concern owned by over 80,000 individual shareholders, three foreign airlines and Rosehill Group was first incorporated as a Limited Liability company on December 6th 1979 under the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Decree; it actually started operations in April 1979 with the commissioning of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The Federal Government through Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was vested with 60% equity holding while four foreign airlines namely; Air France, British Airways, Sabena and Lufthansa shared the remaining 40% in various ratios.
Its current share ownership structure is as follows: Nigerian Public (68%), Air France (5.8%), British Airways (10.7%), Rosehill Group Nigeria Ltd (9.5%) and Lufthansa (6.0%)