FAAN To Revitalise Air Cargo Sector

The Managing Direc
tor of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Alhaji Saleh Dunoma, has said that the authority would support any effort aimed at maximising the potentials in the country’s air cargo sector.
He noted that the volume of high-value time-sensitive products traversing national and international boundaries by air is increasing geometrically across the globe, thereby creating increased opportunities for trade and economic development, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
Dunoma made the remarks during the Nigeria Cargo Summit organized by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) in Ikeja, Lagos.
He said the quest to maximize these potentials has led to the remodeling of designated perishable cargo airports across the country, adding that the aviation industry in Nigeria is an investment haven as the nation’s growing economy and the new emphasis on agriculture would multiply both import and export of products from the country.
According to Dunoma, “A recent IATA report suggested that cargo volumes are expected to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2015, as compared to the time when air cargo business faced weak markets and increasing competition since 2011”.
The Managing Director, who was represented by FAAN’s Director of Cargo Development Dr Uche Ofulue, called on all private investors and stakeholders in the aviation industry to reach out and showcase the rich potential of Nigeria to the world by keying into the opportunities available in the country’s air cargo sector.
“Some strategic airports in Nigeria include Akure, Minna, Abuja, Owerri, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Uyo, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt have been designated as fresh and dry cargo exportation ports for fresh agricultural produce from surrounding local communities to markets in Europe, United States of America and other countries across the world”, Dunoma said.
He further explained that work has already started on some of these cargo terminals at some airports across the country.