FAAN inaugurates committee for aviation cargo roadmap development

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has inaugurated a committee charged with the onus to ensure the workability of Nigeria’s aviation cargo roadmap development with a view to reviving the cargo sector of the industry.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja during the weekend, the Managing Director of the agency, Captain Rabiu Yadudu said the import of setting up a committee to oversee the cargo roadmap was to leapfrog the sector from the doldrums.

He noted that the sector was encumbered with a lot of challenges that needed to be identified and addressed.

“The decision to set up this Committee was muted by FAAN Management to address the challenges identified to be hindering our capacity in processing enough Cargo freighting in our airports.

“These challenges were articulated in the Communique issued at the end of the first Aviation and Cargo Conference in 2021, codenamed “CHINET ’21 and reechoed in CHINET 2022. I am happy today because these challenges were identified by the various organizations represented in this Committee, I am about to inaugurate,” said Yadudu.

According to him, Nigeria ranks fifth in cargo facilitation and freighting in Africa, having facilitated only 204,649 tons of cargo in 2021.

But with the cargo roadmap, Yadudu expressed optimism that the processing and facilitation of cargo will increase in volumes to rank Nigeria as first or second in Africa.

He said, “It is our belief that your roadmap guideline will be able to address the ways by which our aviation cargo processing and facilitation will increase in volumes to rank us among the first or at least the second in Africa before or by the year 2027.

“Currently, we are in the fifth position in Africa, having facilitated only 204, 649 Tons of Cargo in 2021. The first airport facilitated only 363,204 Tons in the same year. And in Domestic Cargo we facilitated only 8,895 Tons in 2021.

“By our projections of 25% on a year-on-year incremental basis, we expect to be ranked first or second in Africa by or before the year 2027. With you, certainly, we can achieve this.
May I inform you that most administrative bottlenecks identified by the various organizations are being considered at the Ministerial level?”

On the terms of reference for the committee, Yadudu said the committee will articulate action plans that meet international best practices and assign timelines for the facilitation of cargo processing at the nation’s airports.

It will, also, articulate guidelines that meet international best practices for Public-Private Partnerships in developing modern cargo infrastructures and facilities for optimum air-cargo facilitation that meets the destination of the country’s standard.

He added that the committee is required to come up with programs and incentives that will encourage mass participation of local airlines in domestic cargo facilitation.

Other requirements, according to Yadudu, include the articulation of mechanisms that will bridge the turnaround time in cargo facilitation, and come up with solutions to the lack of adequate insurance coverage in the cargo value chain, among other references.

Yadudu charged the committee members to live up to their responsibilities in order to meet the expectations of the agency, adding that he will make himself available any time of the day should they need his support.

“My dear distinguished Professionals, your assignments start now and we expect to get your report within the first quarter of 2023.

“I am convinced that as highly experienced Professionals in the Cargo value chain you will drive the development of an implementable Aviation Cargo Road Map that will address the identified challenges with a view to moving the cargo business from the level we are currently, to a desired sustainable level in the short- to long-term.

“My office and that of the Director, of Commercial and Business Development, will always be open to hearing from you as you embark on this assignment,” said Yadudu.

Mr Ikechi Uko, a seasoned aviation expert and cargo enthusiast was nominated to coordinate the team and report to the Directorate of Commercial and Business Development of FAAN.

Other members of the committee include Mr. Shalangwa (FAAN); Ayo Ife Lewis of Greater Washington; Hycienth Ngwu (FAAN); Alex Nwuba, President of Aircraft Owners Association; Sadiku Rafindadi, Director (FAAN); Kingsley Nwokoma, President of AFARN and Obiora Udoyen (FAAN).