August 24, (THEWILL) – The Executive Director, Operations, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Herbert Odika, has commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its robust airport facilitation processes, appealing to the agency to replicate same in cargo facilitations.
Odika gave the advice in his presentation on the topic: “Creating a Conducive Environment for Agro-Export” at the 9th Airport Business Summit and Exhibition (ABSE) held at NIGAV Center Lagos recently with the theme: “Airport Viability is Key to Successful Aviation Business Ambition”.
According to the Director, “If Nigeria deploys the strategies we have put the airport into our cargo facilitation, our agro-export will grow.” He argued that since it is the same principle, applying same strategy will work successfully, emphasising that cargo movement can be successfully processed, just like passenger movements are processed, starting with visa procurement, buying tickets online, boarding and all other facilitations.
“We can have the farmers, marketers and regulatory requirements completed. When they come here, it is facilitation all the way. Even within ourselves as a handling company and even as an airline, If we don’t have enough freighters, let us not allow our exporters to bring things to the airports because it may erode the quality of the products, most of which are perishable. They are perishable and when they get to the airport and there is no flight to take them, they rot in a few days’ time,” Odika advised.
The aviation expert equally advised Nigeria to guide and carefully protect her brand products so that they would not fall into a situation whereby third parties use her products to their own advantage.
He said, “The brand is like a visa. Wherever you take it to and it gets its residence permit, it becomes the brand of that country. We saw what happened to palm oil so many years ago in Malaysia. We are seeing what is happening with our garri being processed into cassava in South America today. Our brand is being sold away,” Odika explained.
Odika equally advised that only the right people in certain areas should be allowed to operate in such areas. For instance, the Director pointed out that a recent Expo organised in the United Kingdom was largely dominated by those who are not fully in charge of the dynamics of the sector in question.
Explaining further, Odika said, “We have this challenge, for instance, there is a chain to agro-export which starts from the farmers. I attended an Expo in the UK recently. The people representing Nigeria were retailers. Now, people are walking through this Expo and the retailer only understands purchase and profits. They don’t know how these things were grown. Most of them don’t know the dynamics of planting and these are questions people should be asking. It doesn’t become conducive because the people will not show interest anymore then our markets start declining.”
Another challenge, according to Odika, is that most Nigerian exporters have a penchant to cut corners. Based on that, the expert noted that Nigeria has RM3 certifications as a requirement because it is not trusted as a nation to be able to do things properly from a regulatory point of view.
On the way forward, Odika suggested education as key, saying: “Education is very important in the farming industry and aviation companies. It gives insight to the farmers and aviation companies on what to import and export, as well as procedures on how to create a healthy agro-export chain in a way that is beneficial to all parties involved.”
He listed the chain to involve the process of planting – harvesting – processing – storing – export, which must embrace enhanced efficiency, optimised resources, revenue opportunities, strategic planning, education, technology and infrastructure, right policies and regulatory reform.
Challenges affecting air cargo, according to him, are fluctuations in aviation fuel prices, regulatory bottlenecks with BASA, inadequate storage facilities, lack of advanced technology, Customs delays and grounding.
For smooth cargo export, Odika recommended export regulations, the need for the government to encourage airlines and handling companies, conscious policies, and regular training for handling companies and security personnel.
He averred that for air cargo to be successful, government agencies should work with handlers while the handlers, on the other hand, should regularly train their staff and also try to be innovative with the help of advanced technology.
Advising further, he said, “Airlines and handlers should give a satisfactory customer experience. Also, good warehousing and storage facilities should be put in place to enhance proper storing methods.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
