FAAN MD Urges Quicker Implementation of Aviacargo Roadmap

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, at a decisive meeting aimed at revamping the nation’s air cargo volumes, emphasised the urgency of a faster implementation schedule. 

Addressing the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, she highlighted the government’s strong commitment to enhancing air cargo services.

“Give me a quicker schedule of implementation. Air Cargo is of great importance to this government. We want things done a little faster,” Kuku asserted during the authority’s meeting with the expanded membership of the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee.

The meeting marked a significant milestone, being the first gathering of the enlarged committee in over ten months. 

Coordinator of the Committee, Mr. Ikechi Uko, briefed Kuku on the progress made so far, expressing gratitude for her renewed commitment to the project.

Established in December 2022, the Roadmap Committee’s objective is to elevate Nigeria’s air cargo industry from its current fifth position in Africa to the top spot on the continent. 

However, the project faced disruptions due to three changes in FAAN’s Chief Executives within 12 months, with Kuku taking over in December 2023. These changes temporarily halted meetings until the new leadership settled in.

Despite these challenges, FAAN managed to implement several committee suggestions, including the creation of a New Directorate of Cargo Development and Services. Recent coordination between this directorate and the committee resulted in today’s enlarged meeting with FAAN’s MD and her team.

A key outcome of the meeting is the launch of a pilot project for exports through four selected airports. This initiative includes trial runs of perishable exports from farm to Lagos Airport within 24 hours, cereal exports via Kano Airport, and additional trials from Enugu and Jos Airports. 

These trial runs aim to test the effectiveness of the Air Cargo Pathway developed by the Roadmap Committee and involve stakeholders across the air cargo ecosystem.

Government agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Nigerian Customs are integral to these pilot projects. 

A sub-committee, led by a NAQS representative, has been established to fast-track implementation and is expected to submit a report within two weeks.

Commending the Roadmap Committee’s dedication, Kuku urged members to accelerate project progress, reinforcing FAAN’s unwavering support. 

She received the committee alongside FAAN’s Directors of Special Duties, Legal Services, and Cargo Development and Services.

Earlier, during the Aviacargo Committee meeting, the Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr. Lekan Thomas, was lauded for his proactive steps, including reducing human traffic in cargo terminals and aligning processes with global standards.

The Roadmap Committee’s team includes representatives from NAQS, SON, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Link Global, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

This renewed momentum and coordinated efforts signify a pivotal advancement in Nigeria’s quest to become Africa’s leading air cargo hub.