Page 17 - LUA September - October 2023 Magzter

SAHCO, Basil Agboarumi, said that
FAAN CARGO TRAFFIC DATA SAHCO is continually expanding and
2021-2023 improving the facilities of its import and
export warehouses with environmentally
YEAR JAN-JUNE JULY-DEC TOTAL friendly ground support equipment.
(METRIC TONS)
SAHCO is also “RA3 certified which
2021 16.7 17.2 33.9
is a requirement for ground handling
2022 17.7 15.5 33.2 companies to be able to ship to Europe,”
6.2% 10% and the company is equally IATA’s Safety
INCREASE DECREASE
Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)
2023 12.5 NA NA certified, as one of Nigeria’s largest ground
(29.5%) handling companies with state-of-the-art
DECREASE
air cargo facilities.
Source: FAAN Other experts at the event reiterated the
FAAN needs the partnership essence of streamlining transportation and
working with logistics providers to reduce
of the private sector to delays and costs, while also optimizing

really provide the necessary packaging with technology, and ensuring
compliance with acceptable standards.
infrastructure that will make The concept of multimodal
these airports truly cargo transportation has been the focus of
facilitating airports. high-level discussions in Nigeria in
recent years. Nigeria recently engaged
KABIR YUSUF MOHAMMED in revamping internal waterways
FAAN
transportation system, which analysts
number one position in Avia-Cargo exports believe would enhance the movement of
in Africa within the next few years.” air cargo from the hinterland.
The Avia-Cargo Committee is Following the concession of the Onitsha
expected to find solutions to improve River Port in Anambra State in South
cargo facilitation, and financing of East Nigeria for N4 billion in a 30-year
infrastructure, and importantly public-private partnership (PPP) deal with
address the lack of interest Universal Elysium Consortium, the port in
among local airlines in domestic mid-August 2023 welcomed its first barges
cargo operations. Inadequate in several decades. The Managing Director
insurance coverage for air cargo, of Universal Elysium Consortium Limited,
lack of standardization and George Nwangwu, however, emphasised
certification of cargo items as the need to dredge the River Niger to
well as traceability of cargo enhance the movement of barges all year
products are disturbing round to serve the Onitsha River Port.
challenges the industry looks Experts believe that an efficient multimodal
up to the cargo committee transport system would create synergy
to address. between the Onitsha river port and the
Regarding export nearby Asaba International Cargo Airport.
product standards, Another aspect needing improvement
Moshood Adebayo in Nigeria’s air cargo sector is affordable
Shittu, Coordinator, insurance. Idowu Jimoh of Leadway
Lagos State Office II of the Assurance Company said “The Nigerian
Standards Organization of Economy has been dwindling because
Nigeria (SON), said some the economic philosophy is more on
of the key reasons for the imports than the exports of raw materials
rejection of Nigerian exports or semi-finished/finished products.” This,
are sometimes related to a he said, has resulted in pressure on the
lack of standards, which local currency leading to the devaluation
should be resolved as SON of Naira and making local manufacturers
is willing to collaborate uncompetitive. He emphasized the essence
with industry players. of insurance to support cargo export in
The Managing Nigeria “to foster the continuity of the
Director/ CEO of value chain.”

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2023 LUA 15