The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA says, for air cargo business to thrive in Nigeria, lots of inter-agency and ministry cooperation is needed to make it worthwhile.
The regulatory body also stated that, having great potentials, especially in the time-sensitive cargo, lots of fundamentals and backend arrangements have to be put in place in compliance with its regulations.
The Director General, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu represented by the Director, Air Transport Regulation, rtd Group Captain Oyo-Ita at the 2-day CHINET21 Aviation and Cargo Export Conference maintained that, the contributions of air cargo business to the development of any economy cannot be over emphasized.
Amongst them, he listed, contribution to the GDP and the economic development of States, boost farming and the economy through rapid conveyance of agricultural produce and increased farming activities, boosts commerce as manufactured goods get to their markets quicker and in better conditions.
“The required Speed for moving perishable items is better achieved through air cargo, sensitive cargo are better protected through air transportation; especially in Nigeria where the road system is simply deplorable and goods carried by air are easily trackable due to the mandatory documentation required”.
He however lamented that, despite the huge benefits of air cargo, there is large-scale importation of goods into the country by foreign operators and only one Nigerian registered air operator concentrates on cargo.
“Often times these foreign air cargo planes return virtually empty”.According to Capt. Nuhu, the greatest threats to air cargo business in Nigeria is the many handling charges.
He also identified Inadequate enlightenment programs to galvanize the different supply chain in the air cargo transport system as well as inefficient packaging of export cargo to meet buyer’s standards.
“Substandard and poorly preserved agricultural produces”.
The NCAA boss gave the assurance that, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act 2006 would soon be repealed and replaced by a new Act empowers the NCAA to regulate all forms of Civil air transportation including the transportation of goods or cargo.
He explained that, the new act intends to capture new developments in the industry like new interventions and Annexes, which takes off regulatory functions from NAMA and FAAN.
