There’s need to revisit abandoned cargo airports across the country

As the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is increasingly encouraging Nigerian industrialists, businessmen and agriculturalists to export more non-oil products so as to grow the country’s export index, create jobs, and in the long run stabilize Nigeria’s economy, cargo airports which facilitate movement of these products should be the first port of call.

Sadly, across the country, these airports have been abandoned after billions of naira was allocated for their development.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) five years ago announced that 13 airports were designated as perishable cargo airports in a bid to transform the aviation sector into a major revenue-earner for the country. FAAN promised to develop perishable cargo facilities with international standard to enhance the operations of these airports.

In view of this, Abuja, Akure, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Minna, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Uyo were prioritised to host perishable cargo terminals.

“The strategy is to create the much-needed storage infrastructure in view of the large volume involved and to facilitate the evacuation of agricultural produce to domestic markets in conformity with international standards,” Yakubu Dati, former coordinating general manager, Aviation Parastatal, said.

Sadly, only Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt have the facilities on ground to facilitate cargo trade with infrastructure solely provided by two ground handling companies, Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, Nahco Aviance (NAHCO).

The implication of this is that exporters across the country do not have access to cargo facilities except through Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. Those who cannot afford to move their produce to these locations just sell them off locally at cheaper rates, a situation that leads to revenue loss for both these individuals and government.

While many hope that the airports designated for cargo would someday be fully functional, experts in the aviation sector have suggested that the Federal Government should concession these cargo airports to private sector for infrastructure upgrade.

John Ojikutu, member of aviation industry think tank group Aviation Round Table (ART) and chief executive, Centurion Securities, said the decision by the government to build cargo terminals across 13 airports was a way to siphon money. He said the job should be given out to the private sector while government should concentrate on security areas such as the runways, perimeter and security fences.

IFEOMA OKEKE

The writer can be reached via ifeco24@gmail.com or +2347030791726