LAGOS – Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has called on the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee to expedite the implementation of their recommendations for improving aviation cargo in Nigeria.
In a statement from Mr. Ikechi Uko, Coordinator of the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, Kuku emphasized the importance of air cargo to the Federal Government during her maiden meeting with the team at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, on Wednesday.
She stated, “Air cargo is of great importance to the Federal Government, and we would like to see progress made at a faster pace.”
Kuku praised the committee members for their dedication and urged them to accelerate the project, noting that FAAN had bolstered its support for their efforts.
The Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, established in December 2022, aims to elevate Nigeria’s air cargo ranking from fifth to first in Africa.
Mr. Uko briefed Kuku on the committee’s progress, noting that this was the first enlarged committee meeting in the past 10 months. He appreciated Kuku for her renewed commitment to the project amid the recent changes in FAAN leadership, which had previously stalled progress.
The committee has seen three changes in FAAN’s Chief Executives, with Kuku succeeding Kabir Muhammed on December 13, 2023, following Capt. Rabiu Yadudu’s tenure.
Uko mentioned that despite these disruptions, FAAN had implemented some of the committee’s suggestions, including the creation of a new Directorate of Cargo Development and Services. Recent meetings between the committee and this directorate have aimed to synchronize their efforts.
The meeting resulted in the launch of a pilot project for exports through four selected airports: a trial run of perishables from farm to Lagos Airport in under 24 hours, cereals through Kano Airport, and exports via Enugu and Jos Airports. These trial runs will test the efficiency of the air cargo pathways developed by the roadmap committee.
The trials will involve various stakeholders in the air cargo ecosystem, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and Nigerian Customs Services (NCS). A sub-committee headed by a NAQS representative was established to strategize and expedite the implementation of these trials, with a report due within two weeks.
FAAN management representatives at the meeting included Directors of Special Duties, Legal Services, and Cargo Development and Services.
