* Workers and unions at the Access Gate shortly after takeover today
…The Case Is In Court Says Dislodged I-CUBE
Workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) today took over the management of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Gate popularly called tollgate from the Integrated Intelligent Imaging West Africa Limited (I-CUBE) one year after the contract to manage the Access Gate expired.
However, AbelNews learnt that the workers and unions took over the revenue point despite a court case instituted by the claimant; Rose Pine Integrated Limited at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, wherein FAAN and I-CUBE are defendants and with suit No FHC/L/CS/2364/19.
The workers, who came in their hundreds to take over the Access Gate as early as 7 am today were lead by the unions in FAAN.
On landing at the tollgate, they took over the control of ticketing points from ICUBE managers.
The workers, who came in a commando like form dislodged the ICUBE staff, who were issuing tickets to motorists, replaced them FAAN staff from the Commercial Department.
The General Secretary of Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu,who led and supervised the early morning takeover, said management of access gate remained the sole responsibility of commercial department of FAAN, adding that politicians have messed up the system through illegal concession of revenue points at the airports
Saidu alleged that the concession of the Access Gate was fraudulent without a review of the contract for more than five years now .
He added that the traffic on the route has greatly increased since the last exercise was carried out.
The ANAP General Secretary also alleged that some individuals in FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation have compromised over the Access Gate and that the Federal Government was losing revenue from there.
Saidu further explained that several meetings were held with the Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika and the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Hamisu Yadudu at different occasions, it was made known to them that workers were going to take over the Access Gate and that it would be managed by FAAN Commercial Department to increase the agency’s revenue profile.
Also speaking, the Deputy National President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Sarah Rimdams stated categorically that FAAN workers came to recover their revenue points to government, as the contract with ICUBE expired in February, 2019.
Rimdams disclosed that I-CUBE has been remitting N68 million monthly but there was need for upward review of the contract.
She added that the Commercial Department of FAAN has taken over and will ensure that they exceeded the N68 million remitted monthly by I-CUBE
The ATSSSAN member disclosed that the was test running the Access Gate to actually know how much can be generated monthly, adding that it would definitely be more than what the concessionaire presently remit to FAAN,
But reacting, to the takeover, the Manager of Integrated Intelligent Imaging West Africa (ICUBE) Mr Toluwaleke Abajingin told journalists that he was shocked to see workers and unions taking over the disputed Access Gate in the early hours of today.
Speaking further, Abajingin stated that the case was in court between one Rose Pine Integrated limited, FAAN and ICUBE, adding that as a responsible organisation, ICUBE staff did not resist.
He said ICUBE has been paying FAAN up to date, saying that they were never informed about any upward review of the contract or otherwise.
Abajingin stated there was a first right of refusal saying that FAAN has not communicated to ICUBE on the agreement.
