Aviacargo roadmap to address multiple charges, other discrepancies, FAAN MD assures
Nigeria’s Aviacargo project is set to address persistent issues of cargo delays, ramp congestion, multiple charges and other practices that are not in harmony with global standards.
This was the assurance of the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Alhaji Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, during a monthly briefing by the committee saddled with the Aviacargo project.
The committee, headed by Mr Ikechi Uko, highlighted progress in the five-level project plan, seeking support of the FAAN MD for the final phases, which include collation and report writing by subject matter experts.
Uko noted that “Nigerian exports are rejected because they are unknown and cannot be traced. So the job of the Aviacargo Village is to transform unknown or unsecured goods to known goods before export. This is the global standard and should be enforced in Nigeria.”
According to him, Nigeria has successfully implemented IATA IOSA for airlines and should establish a similar thing for players in the cargo ecosystem.
He identified levels of registration and certification needed for the industry, starting from farm registration to certification of cargo agents, handling companies and freight forwarders.
The five-level project plan, according to the committee, includes a cargo bill of rights, establishing a designated cargo village, and adherence to global standards for goods traceability, among others.
The FAAN MD ensured that the committee’s recommendations will be acted upon, as conveyed during the monthly briefing by the coordinator, Mr Ikechi Uko.
According to the MD, the Authority is committed to new standard operating procedures, service level agreements, and a corruption-free environment through the Cargo Bill of Rights, which aims to enhance Nigeria’s aviacargo integrity and reduce goods rejection.
When implemented, the proposed five-level secure supply chain pathway will enforce traceability from farms, marking a transformative era for aviacargo in Nigeria.
The MD expressed gratitude, pledging support for development initiatives, with the report presented in the presence of key FAAN figures and stakeholders.
