Aviation cargo
handling firms in Nigeria have sought for tax exemption on most imported equipment into the country.
The Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), Mr Olu Owolabi, stated this while speaking to journalists in Lagos recently.
Owolabi said aviation cargo handling firms had demanded for the tax exemption by the Federal Government if efforts by the government to boost exports of perishable goods and increase revenue for the country are to be realised.
He said high cost of imported facilities coupled with the problem of double taxation had weighed down ground handling firms, stressing that government should considered granting waiver to the aviation cargo handling firms.
He said that the Federal Government had similarly extended such waivers to airlines on imported facilities and spare parts.
The SAHCOL boss urged the government to look into the issue of double taxation, which the company pays with a view of giving the firm a waiver. He said that the new aviation cargo village at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport be still under construction and has the capacity to handle export of any kind of perishable goods out of the country.
He noted that SAHCOL as a firm that handled these perishable goods in its warehouse faced a heavy challenge of investing in the acquisition of facilities often imported at exorbitant cost for its business.
He appealed for government support toward the firm for it to overcome its challenges.
He called on government also to ensure that rightful steps are taken on enlightenment programmes for rural farmers on the packaging in their goods, stressing that all efforts to export perishable goods would remain futile if farmers are not taught the basics on how to package and sell goods at the international market.
Owolabi said the firm would not relent in its efforts to provide effective service to stakeholders on the aviation sector.