The managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Capt, Rabiu Yadudu has disclosed that the Authority is currently exploring the possibility of creating a one-stop-shop in the Cargo Terminal pending the take-off of the National Single Window.
Speaking on the role of airport Authority in the growth and development of aviacargo in Nigeria at the recently concluded aviation and cargo conference in Lagos, tagged CHINET 2021, Capt. Yadudu said the one-stop-shop would comprise of all critical border agencies working together from the same location to fast track cargo clearance and reduce impediments to trade through sharing of information physically and electronically.
Capt. Yadudu who was represented by the director of commercial and business development, Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi, stated that currently export at the Lagos Airport is done round the clock (24hrs), import from 8am – 4pm, while plans to extend the working hours for import operation for 24hrs service are at advanced stage.
Yadudu noted that duplicity of functions among government agencies in its airports is leading to increased cost.
He observed that lack of cargo infrastructure at the domestic terminals is leading to loss of revenue.
Yadudu listed other factors militating against the cargo business in Nigeria to include lack of synergy with ground handlers, limited number of cargo facilities to handle import, export and transshipment, low patronage by domestic airlines, thereby making the airports underutilised and lack of specialised warehouses.
He said FAAN is committed to ensuring that all impediments to trade at the nation’s airports are abolished through continuous collaboration with stakeholders and in compliance with the relevant Articles of World Trade Standards.
Yadudu said the recently installed upgraded Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS) shows FAAN’s commitment to adopting modern/advanced technologies.
He added that the designation of some of airports as SEZs would create an enabling business environment as it would provide all features of a Free Trade Zone.
Yadudu said FAAN has taken some strategic steps towards ensuring optimal service delivery at its Cargo Terminals,
He noted that access to the Lagos Cargo Terminal is fully automated and the process of achieving full automation of other Cargo Terminals is on-going.
According to him some of strategic steps also include: Electronic billing and automation of payment systems, the objective is complete simplification of procedures, allocation of spaces for development of various warehouses, and capturing ideal port users and eliminating touting through the issuance of identification tags complete with security features.
He stated further that: “FAAN in its effort to improve on our service delivery has embarked on several projects among which is the construction of New Passenger and Cargo Terminals.
First to be completed is the Port-Harcourt Cargo Terminal fully equipped with modern facilities and billed to be commissioned and put to use in no distant future”.
FAAN boss noted that the Authority in her bid to support, develop and enhance air cargo business in Nigeria, has designated some of its strategic airports as Cargo Airports.
He listed the airports to include Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Calabar, Akure, Ilorin, Jos, Makurdi and Minna.
These airports would freight fresh agricultural produce from surrounding local communities to markets within Africa, Asia, Europe, USA and other countries across the world, Yadudu said.
He cited a recent report which suggests that cargo volumes are expected to grow by 20 percent in 2021, compared to air cargo volume in 2020, which shows a significant increase even in the face of decline in aviation activities in 2020 occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which adversely affected the industry globally.
He explained that Nigeria is richly endowed with numerous agricultural produce with ready international and local markets and untapped export potential.
Yadudu said the current Nigerian administration has put in place a strong policy to develop and promote local content in all sectors of the economy.
