... Says centre will address most challenges militating against massive avia-cargo exports in Nigeria
The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, on Monday July 31st laid the foundation for the one stop Aviacargo village in Lagos.
Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony marking the beginning of a new phase in Avia-Cargo facilitation in the country’s airports, close to NAHCO car park in Lagos, the Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Yusuf Muhammed said the village will be a one-stop-centre aimed at addressing most challenges militating against massive avia-cargo exports in the country.
Kabir Yusuf said the cargo village will have facilities for Cargo processing, packaging, certification, laboratory services, data gathering for traceability of products and produces among others.
FAAN MD recalled that the decision to set up an Avia-Cargo Committee was taken by FAAN Management to address the challenges that hinder its capacity to process enough Cargo in nation’s Airports.
Kabir Yusuf explained that: “These challenges were identified and articulated via Communique issued at the end of the first Aviation and Cargo Conference in 2021, codenamed “CHINET ’21.
Establishing an Avia-Cargo Village was identified as one of the quick wins in addressing the rejection of our avia-cargo exports, and thus, increasing our exports and earnings”.
He continued that, “by this ground-breaking ceremony taking place today, ladies and gentlemen, you can agree with me that FAAN management is truly determined to implementing your recommendations with a view to taking the rightful number one position in Avia-Cargo exports in Africa within the next few years”.
Kabir Yusuf assured that in the next few months, Cargo planes will be departing from our airports fully loaded with goods that meet destination standards and acceptance.
While officially designating the land measuring 27,357.137 square metres as FAAN Avia-Cargo Village, and consequently inviting all Directors to join him in the ground-breaking ceremony of the site, Kabir Yusuf thanked the members of the Avia-Cargo Committee under the leadership of Ambassador Ikechi Uko.
In his remarks at the event, the Aviacargo Committee chairman and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko Uko
Commended FAAN, the Aviacargo committee for their commitment in bring the cargo village to reality.
Uko said with the foundation today, Nigerian had began the journey to becoming number one cargo exporting country in Africa.
Uko explained that : “We told FAAN that there is need for a new place where all the packages, all the pre export will be done, and when you get to the terminal, is just to do your handling and it enters the plane . So FAAN bought the idea that there needs to be a place where everything is done before it’s brough for export, so that why we are here.
Part of what will come here is an export lab, packaging companies, all the things you see people do outside will be done here. So this place will be cleaned up, brought up to a world class level and we are going to involve the best players in the world to come here so that this place will become a sample that you can take to other airports in Nigeria”.
On who is going to build the cargoe village, Uko said individuals will built the village, while FAAN will just do the site management, including having some of their properties there.
In his words : “We are going to open up this place for Nigerians who are in business to come and invest, is a Nigerian project”.
On the benefits, the Aviacargo committee coordinator said it improve our capacity to export, as exporters can package, do every other thing, because its a one stop shop.
He once goods leaves cargo village, is going straight into the plane.
