The director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu has identified too many handling charges as one of the major challenges militating against air cargo business in Nigeria.
Captain Nuhu identified some of the other challenges of air cargo in Nigeria to include inadequate enlightenment programs to galvanize the different supply chain in the air cargo transport system, inefficient packaging of export cargo to meet buyer’s standards. substandard and poorly preserved agricultural produces.
Speaking at the 2021 Cargo Conference in Lagos, tagged CHiNET 2021, Capt Nuhu said that a well-developed air cargo industry contributes to the GDP and the economic development of States.
He stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act 2006 which will soon be repealed and replaced by a new Act empowers the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate all forms of Civil air transportation including the transportation of goods or cargo.
Captain Nuhu who was represented by the director of Air Transport Regulation (DATR) in NCAA. Group Captain Edem Oyo Ita (Rtd) stated that the new act intends to capture new developments in the industry like new interventions and Annexes, taking off regulatory functions from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
He explained that NCAA controls air transport undertakings through setting of standards for licensing of air transport undertakings, eligibility for Licenses, Permits, Air Operator Certificates (AOC) and other safety certificates, enforcement measures, regulation of sales, distribution and provision of allied services, periodic publication of aviation policies eg, managed post-Covid restart and guided the industry start up.
NCAA DG noted that the Nigeria’s airspace territorial area coverage (988,885km), which is larger than the airspace of Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic put together.
He said Nigeria is naturally endowed with Agricultural produce and a wide range of natural minerals of potential high value, necessitating the need for aerial movement of goods and services within the country as a business.
“We all know that the road system for movement of goods (cargo) leaves much to be desired in terms of capacity, speed and safety of cargo, particularly for perishable agricultural products”, Capt. Nuhu said
He explained further that: “Air cargo business in Nigeria has a lot of potential, especially in the time-sensitive cargo, but there are lots of fundamentals and backend arrangements to be put in place in compliance with our regulations. A lot of inter-agency/ministry cooperation is needed to make it worthwhile.
Nature and condition under which the cargo is delivered for airlifting have to be considered
Storage facilities at both departure and arrival must meet established standards, Airport charges etc”.
While listing the benefits of air cargo, Nuhu stated further that the required speed for moving perishable items is better achieved through air cargo.
He noted that sensitive cargo are better protected through air transportation; especially in Nigeria where the road system is simply deplorable,
He listed other benefits to include help to boost farming and the economy through rapid conveyance of agricultural produce and increased farming activities, boosts commerce as manufactured goods get to their markets quicker and in better conditions, goods carried by air are easily trackable due to the mandatory documentation required.
